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Book .063 55 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE AUTHOR'S OTHER BOOKS. 

'ToEMS OF Truth, Love and Power/' 

"Nutshells of Truth," 

'The Valley of Love," 

''She Dared to Win/' 

"Love's Rainbow Dream," 

"The Village by the Sea/' 

"A Tramp's Love." 



The above-mentioned seven books are described fully 
in the back of this book. 



The Author f Evangelist, Lecturer and roef. 




WILLIAM LEE POPHAM, 

Louisville, Kentucky. 

Born 1885 on a farm in Kentucky, William I.ee 
Popham has risen from a plow-boy to public life — and 
to-daj% by the strokes of his pen and the delivery of 
his lectures, commands the attention of anxious 
thousands. He spends his time in giving expression 
to beautiful sentiments and helpful thoughts to calm 
the waves in life's great sea. 



iiiij^Mwia»*»tifcfcajMrtiteMBBaai»BBMt»<i*a«BiMiia»BMriinriiiTariiiBaamii'ii^B»*fl 



Sil 




ver vjems 

m 

Seas of Gola 

By \A/ illiam Lee Popnam 

IN THREE PARTS 

COMPLETE IN THIS VOLUME 



PART I. 

Containing Essays, Character Sketches and 

Miscellaneous Prose. 

PART IL 
Containing Lectures, Addresses and Sermons. 

PART III. 
Containing Short Love and Character Stories. 



Price per Copy, $2.50 



Broadw^ay Publisning Co. 

835 Broad^vay, New York 



\ 



f^'r 



Copyright, 1910, 

by 

WII^LIAM LEE FOPHAM. 



CCI.A2?8r)62 



PRESENTATION. 

Being an uncommon and constant reminder of the 
giver, a treasure of beautiful sentiment and a creed for 
every home, this book will be found an ideal present 
appropriate for birthdays, weddings, Christmas gifts and 
general presentation purposes. If you appreciate this 
book, order other copies from time to time for presenta- 
tion purposes. 

Price per Copy, m Best Binding, 
Two Dollars and Fifty Cents. 

Order all copies from 

THE WORLD SUPPLY CO., 
Louisville, Ky. 

Agents Wanted Everywhere. 

i Write for Terms. 



DEDICATION. 

To every member of the human family who loves the 
truth simply told from the writer's heart, this book is 
respectfully 

DEDICATED 

by 
THE AUTHOR. 



NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. 

This entire work is protected by copyright; and impos- 
tors will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 

However, any person or periodical is hereby authorised 
by the Author to use any part, provided the same is quoted 
under the Author's name. 



PREFACE. 

The Author has written this book to fill a long-felt 
want in the American home. 

This work touches nearly every subject of every-day 
life and will charm young and old alike. 

Its message is truth in simplicity. Herein the author 
has gathered silver gems from many golden seas of , 
thought, shaped in his own expression and revealing his 
deep, humanitarian love. 

Pupils of schools will find among these many subjects 
splendid foundations for composition work. 

Teachers of Sabbath school, college or public school, 
ladies of clubs or church societies, will find this work 
available to their use as well as most inspiring. 

Ministers of every sect will find herein a fertile field 
for "thought building." Christians everywhere will deem 
it priceless. 

If you love the lovable, if you like simplicity, if you 
seek "the truth that makes you free," if you want to know 
the true paths to happiness, if you love mother, home and 
heaven and Him "who notes the sparrow's fall" — you 
want this book. This work is free from "big-sounding 
words" and learned titles. 

Every subject has a noble lesson, with thoughts that 
breathe and words that burn. It should inspire millions 
of human lives to higher aspiration and bless happy mil- 
lions yet unborn. 

This achievement is the fruit of the humble editor's 
toil and the aspiration of his prayer. 



CONTENTS. 

Alphabetically arranged. 

A 

Page 

A Child's Vision of Heaven 6 

A Mother's Prayers lo 

A Mother's Love 13 

A Swarm of B's 13 

A Band of Mercy 15 

A Revised Failure 23 

A Simpler Life 25 

A Bright Boy 27 

A Woman's Kingdom 27 

Advice to the Housewife 33 

Advice to Girls and Young Ladies 34 

Alphabet of Success 53 

An Autumn Walk 5=; 

A Poet's Walk 58 

A Word to Boys 62 

A Golden Day 66 

Advice to a Young Man 74 

A Teacher's Creed 80 

An Apostrophe to the Mountains 81 

A Good Reference 83 

A Sunny Face 89 

A True Mother 98 

An Incident 103 

A Southern Springtime Walk 103 

A Beautiful Sight 112 

A Few Don'ts 114 

A Christian's Hope Is Founded at the Foot of the Cross 115 

Advice to a Young man 123 

Armor-Plated Boys 124 

A Poet's Mission 126 

Advice to a Young Man 128 

An Appeal to Boys 128 

A Picture of the Old Home 129 

A Good Wife 131 

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Lecture) 146 

An Every-day Talk to Young Men on Heads (Address) 156 

A Talk to Boys and Young Men (Address) 160 

Ambition (Lecture) 182 

A Poet's Search for Love in the Valley of Dreams (Lecture) 196 

B 

Bless His Dear Heart 2 

Beautiful Hands 49 

I 



n CONTENTS 

Page 

Blossoms in the Night 41 

Beauty of a Human Face 54 

Be Happy 60 

Beautiful Sentiments 62 

Be Satisfied 85 

Bad Bargains 122 

Birds' Kingdom (Lecture Story) 206 

Ben's Christmas Gift (Character and Love Story) 212 

C 

Chose Your Path 8 

Chasing Rainbows • • i7 

Consolation 97 

Cheerfulness • • ^^4 

Cigarettes ^^5 

Christmas Sermon • • • • •• • • ^49 

Christ's Friends (Address) i59 

D 

Discouraging a Tale-bearer ^9 

Dispositions ^^^ 

Duties of Mankind ^J 

Don't Be Discouraged 39 

Don'ts for Mothers of Boys 9-' 

Dead Souls •• 102 

Divided Lives (Address) i^i 

E 

Echoes of Nature 23 

Encouraging the Good °i 

F 

For Mother ^^ 

Fast Young Men ^7 

Followed by His Mother's Love 44 

Father in the Home 47 

Fatherhood 77 

Faithfulness 94 

Find the Answer ^^° 

G 

Greeting to Girlhood ^ 

Gentle Jars • jO 

Good Deeds from Pure Thought 57 

Good Literature in the Home 7i 

Giving Self * * ^^ 

God's Love: Not Ours °9 

God Is Everywhere ^ 



CONTENTS in 

Page 

Good Advice io6 

God Supreme in the Home io8 

God's Out-Doors 114 

God's Lights 125 

Gratitude 126 

H 

Hope II 

Home 17 

Heroes ■ • • • • • 42 

Home, Peace and War 43 

How to Spell Victory with Sentences 60 

Human Sunshine 97 

Here's to Sunny June • ■ 99 

Happiness by Holiness 107 

Hold-Ons 118 

Having Christ • 121 

How to Make a Good Wife Unhappy 130 

Happiness in Little Things (Address) 168 

He Leads (Address) 169 

Home and What It Should Be (Address) 193 

I 

I Am The King of Mystery Tz 

I Shall Not Want 80 

Illusions 82 

In His Presence 84 

Impregnable Castles 86 

In Love with His Mother 119 

Inspiration from Nature (Lecture) 174 

Immortality (Address) 189 

J 

"Just So You Aint" 125 

K 

Kissing Mother 3 

Keepers at Home 29 

Keep Sweet 70 

Keep Your Place 102 

L 

Low Wages 4 

Living in the Future 32 

Life Is Sweet 32 

Lose to Find 58 

Lincoln's Promise 80 

Love's First Service 85 



IV CONTENTS 

Page 

Lost Treasures • io6 

Lasting Happiness io8 

Let Us Take Time iii 

Let Your Light Shine 119 

Love (Lecture) 139 

Lovers 143 

Love (Sermon) 177 

Love Answers (Love Story) 203 

M 

Make Yourself Wanted 26 

IMother and Home ( Lecture) 49 

Man and Immortality ••...... 63 

Making Life a Song 69 

Mother at Prayer 86 

Mabel's Thank Offering 93 

Mother, The Queen of Home 132 

Mother, Home and Heaven (Lecture) 135 

N 

No "If" 3 

"Number One" 24 

Noble Souls 56 

Night 122 

No Sorrow There 124 

O 

Overflowng Joy 71 

"Our Father Who Art in Heaven" 91 

Opening the Heart 109 

P 

Praise Your Wife 16 

Profanity 39 

Promise of God 52 

Politeness 54 

Persons Who Whine 64 

Peace 113 

Part II ■ • . . 133 

Part III 201 

R 

Reunion in Heaven 20 

Resting on the Rock 107 

Rejoice (Sermon) I43 

S 

Searching Questions ^ 

Some Donts -I6 



CONTENTS V 

Page 

Some of the Foolishness of Fashion 67 

Strength of Character 68 

Speak a Good Word 74 

Selfishness 84 

Sowing Seed 74 

Some Bible "Ifs" 87 

Strengthened by Prayer 96 

Sing! Sing! Sing! 96 

Skimming It 108 

Some Best Things 109 

Softened by Sorrow 118 

Sermon on Fools 186 

Sermon on Hypocrites 190 

T 

Take It With You 14 

The Poor Are Rich 16 

Ten Rules How to Bring Down a Son 19 

Ten Rules How to Bring Up a Son 19 

The Little Flower 21 

Thirty Things to Remember 28 

The Young Man Who Succeeds 30 

To the Girls 40 

The Saloon 41 

The Divine Fullness 52 

The Importance of Feeling in Preaching 56 

The Valley Pathway 61 

The Upward Look 61 

The Mission of the Brook 65 

The Children's Blessing 68 

The Power of a Smile 68 

The Mother 70 

The Right Way to Work 74 

The Saloon's Fall 75 

The Poor Dying Girl 79 

Teaching Nuggets 87 

The Last Tear 88 

The Printer Boy 90 

The Better Way 93 

The Rose 98 

The Flower of Faith 105 

The Sun of the Soul 105 

There Is a God no 

Teaching Nuggets no 

The Laugh Cure in 

The Saloon Keeper's Sign 116 

The Only Father 120 

The Crushed Flower 120 

The Uplifted Finger I2i 

The Best 122 

The Buds Opening in Heaven 123 



VI CONTENTS 

Page 

The Test of Light i2fi 

The Ideal Home 127 

The Old Doctor's Story 130 

Tattlers (Address) 154 

The Power of Influence (Sermon) 157 

The Heart a Garden (Address) 164 

The Drunkard's Sermon 176 

The Image of Christ ( Sermon) 185 

Things That Money Can't Buy (Address) 188 

The Bluebells (Temperance Story) 209 

U 

Unselfishness Gladness 88 

W 

Who I Am I 

Womanhood 4 

What Each Letter of Whiskey Means 18 

What Each Letter of Temperance Means 18 

What Has Infidelity Done ? 65 

Weary Women 91 

What Is True Forgiveness ? 95 

Woman and the Home loi 

Why He Lost His Friends • 106 

What Is the Greatest ? • 113 

What Are You ? 114 

What Is Wanted? 117 

What a Boy Can Do 131 

Wife and Home Man's Earthly Heaven (Address) 166 

Will Obeying the Ten Commandments Alone Gain a Home 

in Heaven ? ( Sermon ) 173 

Y 

Your Friend 22 

Youthful Dreams on a Farm (Lecture) 170 



bilver Gems m Seas of Gold 

PART I. 



WHO I AM. 

I am a Royal King forever delving into the destinies of human 
life. I am queen of the land of sunshine and shadow. I am 
prince of the universe. I am princess of unknown worlds. I am 
a ladder with the lower round upon the earth while the topmost 
round touches the blue dome of heaven. I disperse sunshine 
from heaven along the dark pathway of life. My greatest enemy 
is hatred. I represent the glorious eagle which is never so proud 
and happy as when facing the sun and soaring toward heaven, 
while my enemy "Hatred" is a tit symbol of the buzzard, whose 
glory is in its shame, and feasting on filth. I can touch the 
heart of my object tho' unmeasurable distance lies between. I 
am the beautiful daughter of innocence. I am invisible, but 
show myself in works and deeds. I am the gallant son of no- 
bility. Take my hand in thine and hatred will vanish like early 
frost before the morning sun. I am the golden link in the 
divine chain between God and man. I am always fresh like the 
gushing spring from nature's breast. I am as a beautiful stream 
of living water whose resources are never exhausted. The more 
I give, the greater my capacity for giving. Like a blaze which 
lights a thousand other candles, my light still shines and burns. 
I prefer to be the donor to the receiver. Tho' if you wish to 
give unto me, the gift will be returned an hundred fold. Tho' 
fortunes fly, troubles rage and reverses come, I remain the same. 
In winter, spring, summer or autumn I am as the evergreen. I 
am the source of human happiness. My principles are as broad 
as the sea, deep as the ocean and high as heaven. I am the 
child of mystery. No person understands me, yet I am recog- 
nized by all. 

I can travel thru shadowed valleys, over troubled seas and 
foreign lands. I can penetrate the giant mountains and the 
eternal hills. I am the greatest spokesman of God. I am the 
foundation of heaven. I caused God to allow the crucifixion 
of Christ on bloody Calvary. Kill me and you take away all 
sweetness of life, I am the superstructure of peace and good 



2 Silver Gems hi Seas of Gold 

•will toward all mankind. Jesus Christ called my name in His 
greatest commandment. I will never die. Earthly things will 
pass away but my eternal home is above. I am born of the 
jjosom of God and His holy Son. I am the angel of harmony, 
the enemy of war and the author of peace. I am the father 
of goodness and deviser of the golden rule. I am the mother 
of patience and the sister of kindness. I am the nurse of the 
afflicted. I am enemy to no just cause. I am as the lighthouse 
on the raging sea. By my light alone, can >x)u anchor your 
lifeboat in the haven of rest. I am the fragrance of God's own 
heart. My name is **Love/' 



BLESS HIS DEAR HEART. 

In a very elegant palace car enters a weary-faced, poorly 
dressed woman, with three children, one a baby in her arms. A 
look of joy crept into her face as she sank down into one of the 
luxurious chairs, but it was quickly dispelled as she was asked 
rudely to "flee to the rear." A smile of amusement was seen 
on several faces as the frightened group hurried out to one of 
the common cars. Upon one young face, however, there was a 
look of sympathy which shamed the countenances of the others. 

"Auntie," said the boy to the lady beside him, "I am going 
to carry my basket of fruit and the bo-x of sandwiches to the 
poor woman in the next car. You are willing, of course?" 

"Don't be foolish, dear. You may need them yourself, and 
perhaps the woman is an impostor." 

"No, I'll not need them," he answered decidedly, but in a 
very low tone. "You know I had a hearty breakfast, and don't 
need a lunch. The woman looked hungry, auntie, and so tired, 
too, with the three little babies clinging to her. I'll be back in 
a minute, auntie; I know mother would not like it if I didn't 
speak a kind word to the least of these when I met them." 

The worldly aunt brushed a tear from her eyes after the boy 
had left her, and said to herself: 

"He's just like his dear mother." 

About five minutes later, as the aunt passed the mother and 
three children, she saw a pretty sight — the family feasting as 
perhaps they never did before. The dainty sandwiches were ea- 
gerly eaten; the fruit basket stood opened. The eldest child, with 
its mouth filled with bread and butter, said : 

"Was the pretty boy an angel, mamma ?" 

"No," answered the mother, and a grateful look brightened 
her faded eyes, "but he has done an angel's work, bless his dear 
heart." And we too add : "Bless his dear heart." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 3 

KISSING MOTHER. 

A father talking to his careless daughter, said: "I want to 
speak to you of your mother. It may be that you have noticed 
a careworn look upon her face lately. Of course, it has not been 
brought there by any act of yours; still it is your dut>^ to chase 
it away. I want you to get up to-morrow morning and get 
breakfast ; and when your mother comes and begins to express 
her surprise, go right up to her and kiss her on the mouth. You 
can't imagine how it will brighten her dear face. 

"Besides, you owe her a kiss or two. Away back, when you 
were a little girl, she kissed you when no one else was tempted 
by your fever-tainted breath and swollen face. You were not as 
attractive then as you are now. And thru those days she was 
always ready to cure, by the magic of a mother's kiss, the little 
dirty, chubby hands whenever they were injured in those skir- 
mishes with the rough old world. 

"And then the midnight kisses with which she routed so many 
bad dreams as she leaned above your pillow have all been on 
interest these long, long years. 

"Of course she is not so prettv' and kissable as you are ; but if 
you had done 3'our share of work during the past ten years the 
contrast would not be so marked. 

"Her face has more wrinkles than yours, and yet if you were 
sick that face would appear far more beautiful than an angel's 
as it hovered over you, watching every opportunity^ to minister 
to your comfort, and every one of those wrinkles would seem to 
be bright wavelets of sunshine chasing each other over the dear 
old face. 

"She will leave you one of these days. These burdens, if not 
lifted from her shoulders, will break her down. Those rough, 
hard hands, that have done so many necessary things for you, 
will be crossed upon her lifeless breast. 

"Those neglected lips that gave you your first baby kiss will 
be forever closed, and those sad, tired eyes will have opened in 
eternity, and then you will appreciate your mother; but it will 
be too late." 



NO "IF." 



There was a knock at the door of Aunt Fanny's pleasant 
kitchen one morning, and on the steps stood a little girl with a 
basket on her arm. 

"Don't you want to buy something?" she asked as she came 
in. "Here are some nice home-knit stockings." "Surely you did 
not knit these stockings yourself, little girl?" said Aunt Fanny. 



4 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

"No, ma'am; but grandma did. She is lame, and so she sits 
still and knits the things, and I run about to sell them ; that's 
the way we get along. She says we are partners and so I wrote 
out a sign and put it over the fireplace, 'Grandma and Maggie.' '' 

Aunt Fanny laughed and bought the stockings, and as she 
counted out the money to pay for them, Maggie said : "This will 
buy the bread and butter for supper." 

"What if you had not sold anything?" asked Aunt Fanny. 

"You see, we prayed, 'Give us this day our daily bread,' and 
God has promised to hear when folks pray; so I guess there 
wasn't any 'if about it. When He says things, they're sure and 
certain." 



LOW WAGES. 

"What does Satan pay you for swearing?" said a gentleman 
to a boy. 

"He doesn't pay me anything," was the reply. 

"Well, you work cheap — to lay aside the character of a gen- 
tleman, to pain your friends, and all good people, and to risk 
losing your own soul, and all for nothing — you certainly do 
work cheap — very cheap, indeed !" 



WOMANHOOD. 

But for the moral aspect of womanhood this American nation 
would ultimately turn into a literal hell. 

Honor to manhood ! and praise be to chivalry, strength and 
patriotism. But with all the indispensable traits of manhood, it 
is woman who inspires, soothes, leads, encourages, cheers and 
civilizes man. The world's Redeemer was cradled in a mother's 
arms and fed from woman's breast. Woman was last at the cross 
of Calvary and first at the tomb. 

It is she who is queen in the home and her throne is sympathy 
and love. 

It is she whom we call mother and shed a tear for the sacred- 
ness of the name. 

Woman is the flower of civilization, the sculptor of beauty, 
the angel of kindness, the sister of charity, the comforter in 
affliction, the queen of gentleness, the heroine of faith, the prac- 
tioner of prayer, the soother of pain and the ornament of home. 
She is the savior of society, the pillow of virtue, the bud of 
modesty and the perfume of joy to manhood. 

What school of learning, or of moral endeavor, depends more 
on its teacher, than the home upon the mother? What influence 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 5 

of all the world's professors and teachers tells so strongly on the 
habit of a man's mind as those gentle droppings from a mother's 
lips, which, day by day and hour by hour, flow into the enlarging 
stature of his soul and lives with it forever. 

Not only does "the hand that rocks the cradle rule the world," 
but its influence populates heaven. A woman's gentle touch is 
in itself a tonic for an aching brow. Her smile is a ray of light 
from heaven and her voice is sweet music to man's ear. Her 
caress is like the morning dew upon the flower — to cheer, uplift 
and stimulate. 

Her steps are like gentle wing-beats of angels and her love is 
second only to God whose nature is love, 

Happy is the man who can claim a woman's love, and happy 
is the home where woman is enthroned as queen, and is ham- 
pered not in her reign of love. 

Like a tired bird lost at sea, is man without a woman's love 
to guide him. Young man, ye who are trying to win the love of 
sweetheart, does not your heart throb and the blood flow to your 
face when you clasp her tender hand "good night?" 

Does not her modesty at times, almost keep her from fol- 
lowing you to the door?" 

With this thought of modesty and gentleness to illuminate 
your dream of an ideal wife, you chase the pleasant phantom to 
that shadowy home — lying far off in the future — of which she is 
the glory and the crown. I know it is the fashion nowadays with 
many to look for a woman's excellencies and influence — away 
from her home; but I know too that a vast many eager and 
hopeful hearts still cherish the belief that her virtues will range 
highest and live longest within those sacred walls. 

Be this how it may, the heart of man with whom affection is 
not merely a name, and love a mere passion of the hour, yearns 
toward the quiet of a home as toward the goal of his eternal 
joy and hope. 

But ye who are married, you who can claim the honor of 
having won a woman's love — ye whom some queen calls husband, 
do you fully appreciate the exhaustless fountain of a woman's 
love? Do you know that wife is almost another name for angel? 

Man, do you still treat her as a bride? How can an author's 
pen in justice praise a good wife? 

She is gentle — keeping your love, as she has won it, by a 
thousand nameless and modest virtues which radiate from her 
whole life and action. She steals upon your affections like a 
summer wind breathing softly over sleeping valleys. She gains 
a mastery over your sterner nature by very contrast, and wins 
you unwittingly to her lightest wish. And yet her wishes are 
guided by that delicate tact which avoids conflict with your man- 
ly pride ; she subdues by seeming to yield. By a single soft word 
of appeal she robs your vexation of its anger; and, with a slight 



6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

touch of that fair hand, and one pleading: look of that earnest 
eye, she disarms your sterner pride. 

She is kind — shedding her kindness as heaven sheds dew. 
Who indeed could doubt it? — least of all you, who are living on 
her kindness day by day, as flowers live on light? There is none 
of that officious parade which blunts the point of benevolence; 
but she tempers every action with a blessing. If trouble has 
come upon you, she knows that her voice, beguiling you into 
cheerfulness, will lay your fears ; and as she draws her chair 
beside you, she knows that the tender and contiding way with 
which she takes your hand, and looks up into your earnest face, 
will drive away from your annoyance all its weight. As she 
lingers, leading off your thought with pleasant words, she knows 
well that she is redeeming you from care, and soothing you to 
that sweet calm which such home and such wife can alone be- 
stow. And in sickness — sickness that you almost covet for the 
sympathy it brings — that hand of hers resting on your fevered 
forehead, or those fingers playing with the scattered locks, are 
more full of kindness than the loudest vaunt of friends; and 
when your failing strength will permit no more, you grasp that 
cherished hand with a fulness of joy, of thankfulness, and of 
love, which your tears only can tell. 

She is good : her hopes live where the angels live. Her kind- 
ness and gentleness are sweetly tempered with that meekness 
and forbearance which are born of Faith. Trust comes into her 
heart as rivers come to the sea. And in the dark hour of doubt 
and foreboding you rest fondly upon her buoyant Faith, as the 
treasure of your common life ; and in your holier musings you 
look to that frail hand, and that gentle spirit, to lead you away 
from the vanities of worldly ambition to the fullness of that 
joy which the good inherit. 



A CHILD'S VISION OF HEAVEN. 

The story is told of a father who had his little daughter out 
late in the evening. The night was dark and they had passed 
thru thick woods to the brink of a river. Far away on the 
opposite shore a light twinkled here and there in a few scattered 
houses, and farther off still blazed the bright lamps of the great 
city to which they were going. The little child was weary and 
sleepy, and the father held her in his arms while he waited for 
the ferryman, who was on the other side. At length they saw a 
little light; nearer and nearer came the sound of the oars, and 
soon they were safe in the boat. "Father," said the little girl, 
"it's very dark, and I can't see the shore. Where are we going?" 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold ^ 

'The ferryman knows the way, little one; we will soon be over/* 
Soon in her home, love welcomed her, and all her fears were 
gone. 

Some months passed by, and this same child stands on the 
brink of a river that is darker and more terrible still. It is the 
river of death ! The same loving father is near her, distressed 
that his child must cross the river and he not be able to go with 
her. Forty days and nights he and her mother have watched 
over her, praying for the life of the precious one. For hours she 
has been slumbering; but just before the morning watch she sud- 
denly awakens, with the eye bright and every faculty alive. 
"Father," she says, "I have come again to the river side, and am 
waiting for the ferryman to come and take me across." 

"Does it seem as dark and cold as when we crossed the other 
river, my child?" 

"Oh, no ! there is no darkness here ; the river is covered with 
floating silver. The boat coming toward me seems made of 
solid light, and I am not afraid of the ferryman." 

"Can you see over the river, my darling?" 

"Oh, yes ! there is a great and beautiful city there, all filled 
with light; and I hear music such as angels make." 

"Do you see anyone on the other side?" 

"Why, yes, yes ; I see the most beautiful form, and he beckons 
me now to come. Oh, ferryman, make haste ! I know who it is 
— it is — it is Jesus, my own blessed Jesus. I rest on his bosom — 
I come — I come !" 

And thus she passed over the river of death, made like a sil- 
ver stream by the presence of the blessed Redeemer. 



If you would be loved— be lovable. If you would be lovabh 
love. 



Devilishness came into the world thru sin, and will go out 
of the world thru salvation. 



Overcome jealousy by liberality, vice by virtue, sin by right- 
eousness. 



Don't fight badness — but overcome it with goodness. The 
dawn don't fight the night; it just overcomes the darkness. 



Keep the gateway of love and faith open and heaven will be 
enticed to enter there to remain. 



Don't hang your harp on the willow. It was made for music. 



8 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Blessings counted daily, always outnumber our trials. 
True worth commends itself without the need of self praise. 



The saloon is a "good place" to make good persons bad. 

-x 

CHOOSE YOUR PATH. 

Nearly every phase of life has two sides — one the agreeable 
side, the other the disagreeable. 

If we would, like the bee, suck the sweets from amidst the 
bitter — we must be so grateful and happy in getting the honey, 
that we will "forget" the bitter. 

However, we are to choose the side on which we live. 

The cunning hand plucks the flowers from the bush of thorns 
and if the thorns chance to mar the beauty of the hand, the very 
wounds are but emblems of the flower's worth. 

Pain often comes in the night of affliction and the strongest 
"take a little cry," but to the optimist, the very tears are sweet. 
Look not upon the dew as being a "disagreeable wet," but rather 
as morning jewels sent to kiss the tender cheeks of blushing 
flowers, or as "drops of drink" for thirsty roses. 

Count not the gentle twilight as "dark shadows," but rather 
as the "soft arms of night" in which we may rest on the bosom 
of slumber. 

Count not the new day as another "beginning of toil" but 
rather as a new morning of opportunity in which to achieve 
much that is worthy and become a benefactor to our fellow man. 

Life hath its "broad" and "narrow" ways ; and we are left to 
choose our path. The privilege of "choice" is what makes us 
God's favored creation. Let us choose wisely. 



GREETING TO GIRLHOOD. 

You are approaching the Summer of life. The Springtime 
of sixteen short years of girlhood is a long — yet short unbroken 
dream of romantic fancy, gayety and anticipation. 

Girlhood is the sweetest bud of life's flower garden — and is 
only perfected in the full bloom of womanhood. 

Your bud-days are but yesterday ; your blossom time is to- 
day; your influence — like the fragrance of flowers, reaches out 
over life's pathway and affects the passing pilgrim ; and be it 
said to the honor of the name of your inheritence, your influence 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold g 

is an inspiration to all under the magic of its scope. Life s Sum- 
mertime is a sweet epoch in human existence. The harvest is 
never more golden than in Summer. 

May the harvest of your fanciest hopes be realized in measures 
full and successful. Let the future be what it may; for to-day's 
duty pleads for recognition; and if duty is well discharged, the 
future shall be a cloud of gold. The future is but the blossom 
of to-day's bud. 

To-day is but the fruit of yesterday's planting. The past is 
not without its lessons. Tho' God in his wisdom has per- 
mitted our past to be mixed with pain, disappointment and de- 
feat — His loving sympathy abideth still ; and His promises make 
the future unclouded where the stars of hope sparkle in yonder 
space to lessen the shadows of night. 

Life is a stern reality of both thorn and flower. 

We cannot make our forms float with the poet's thoughts — 
between the planets upon a bed of sunbeams ; or in dells of bliss 
and beauty where evil is unknown and fear is ignored. But with 
a poet's sentiment, we may choose the sunbeam instead of the 
cloud, and by example, teach others how to possess the joy of an 
optimist. 

Life's Springtime is but the promise of life's Summer, and 
hope sleeps in every bud. Thanks be to the One who controls 
the seasons of life, that your promised Summer is near on the 
wings of time. 

With the lessons of the past to guide you, a good name to aid 
you, the improved present to advance you, Nature and science 
to teach you, the redeeming grace of God to sustain you and 
hope to call you onward, your future is a world of success and 
satisfaction. 

May thy journey be thru the valley of happiness amidst 
love's forget-me-nots, blue-hearted violets and red roses. When 
tired of travel may the gentle breeze rock you to sleep on pillows 
of ease and rest. 

May womanhood's dreams of love radiate thy slumber like 
hovering angels ; and if ever a tear moistens thy rosy cheek, may 
an angel's kiss consume its flow. 

In your strides for knowledge, may fate treat you kindly and 
achievement be your crown. When your crown is won and you 
stand at the altar as a bride, may the one in whom you trust for 
future life — be to you, always a groom — and always consider 
you a bride. 

May he be pure as yourself and always gallant, loving and 
true. And as he and you walk together a-down life's pathway 
may the music of the brooks, the songs of birds, the fragrance of 
flowers and the sweetness of love be ever constant ; and though 
age steal upon your lives, may the evening twilight find you 
happy and gentle still. 



lo Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

May the observation of the wide world be j'ours to enjoy; 
and when flowers can no longer lie upon thy bosom, may they 
bloom in season upon thy unforgotten grave — when thy spirit 
will have gone to heaven to join the angels. 



-5f- 



A MOTHER'S PRAYER. 

Who can pray like a thoroughly Christian mother? Such a 
mother will continue to pray for her bad boy long after the 
father has given him up as hopeless. Many years ago 
there was a mother whose son, a young man, had begun to 
lead a dissolute life. One evening she begged him not to spend 
that evening away from her, but he declared that he would. 
He said: "Mother, I am not going to be tied to your apron- 
strings; I am going to go." The mother replied: '"Please try and 
remember every moment to-night that, until you come back, I 
am going to be on my knees asking God to save you." The son, 
with a rude gesture and muttered oath, rushed from her pres- 
ence and spent the night in a shameful place. It was four o'clock 
in the morning when he got home. He had managed to keep his 
mother out of his mind during his revelry. As he got to the 
house he saw a light shinng through the shutters. Turning the 
blinds down and looking in, he saw his mother on her knees and 
heard her pray : "God save my wandering boy." Going to his 
room, he threw himself on the bed, but could not sleep. After a 
while he arose, then knelt down, and it seemed to him that Christ's 
power proceeded from the room where his wrestling mother was 
pleading with God, and it led him to cry out, "God be merciful 
to me, a sinner!" And that very morning he was saved. The 
news of his salvation soon spread in the neighborhood, and in 
three weeks from that time more than 200 3'oung people had been 
converted. This young man became the father of Dr. T. DeWiit 
Talmage, of Brooklyn. Could that young man doubt that God 
hears and answers prayer? And what a blessed inspiration this 
is to praying. Christian mothers, hard praying leads to the con- 
version of hard sons ! 

The universal, unfailing expression of a mother's love is found 
in a mother's prayers. Everything else may fail, but while reason 
holds her throne these fail not. Was there ever a prayerless 
mother? Was there ever one who bent above the cradle of her 
loved one without a prayer? or who pressed to her bosom her 
darling child without an uttered or unuttered longing for a bless- 
ing on its head? And when the years go by, and youth and 
strength and health are gone, when the mother's weary hands 
have forgotten their cunning, and her feet can no more journey 
to and fro on errands of affection, still her prayers go up by night 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold ii 

and day for the blessing of God upon the children he has given 
her. They may go from her presence. Swept by the tides of 
business, or breaking from the restraints of home, her sons may 
wander as prodigals in distant lands, and her daughters 
may forsake the guide of their youth and forget the covenant of 
their God; but out of sight, out of hearing, and beyond the cir- 
cle of her knowledge, beyond the reach of everything but God 
and prayer, she follows them still. In distant lands, on storm- 
tossed vessels, in deserts and in dens of sin and shame, the moth- 
er cannot forget her children, her prayers still rise and reach the 
ear of God. 

Said a young man, not a Christian, when living in a large 
city: "If mothers only understood how their prayers for their 
poor foolish sons hold the wild boys back from so many sins, 
and were all the time drawing these sons away from ruin, if 
mothers only understood it all, / tell you they would keep at it." 
And they do keep at it, tho' sometimes they may hope against 
hope ; and tho' perhaps even then the mother of that son may 
have been mourning that she had lost all influence over her boy. 

Ye praying mothers, take courage ; your sighs have entered 
into the ears of the Lord, your prayers ascend the heavenly 
throne. You may never live to see your wayward ones return- 
ing from their wanderings, but God liveth and heareth prayer ; 
and your petitions, lodged upon heaven's altar, may be answered 
after the heart that indicted them ceases to throb, and the lips 
that poured them forth are hushed in the silence of the grave. 
Time is too short to measure the power of a mother's supplica- 
tions. The mighty roll of the everlasting years alone can dis- 
close the richness of that harvest which is sown in prayers, wa- 
tered with tears, and gathered in the garner of our God. 



HOPE. 



Hope is the flower of life whose bloom sheds its fragrance 
v^'hen all others have withered. Without hope let me die now 
and here — like a hog without a soul. But with hope, let me live 
in this beautiful, blooming world of both thorn and flower, till 
God shall call me home. 

When the broken heart is sad and bleeding, the only balm 
that can soothe its pain, is hope. Take away my success; take 
my home and the treasures I have gathered for years ; take 
away my reputation and my friends, but give me hope — for with 
hope I can gain much of that which is lost, but without hope I 
can do nothing. 

Were it not for hope, I would have surrendered to failure a 
thousand times. 



12 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Take away hope and nothing is left. 

Hope is a simple word, yet it is Hfe's harp of a thousand 
strings. It inspires us to noble deeds. It lifts the heart and 
comforts the soul. Hope has conquered the world. It has re- 
deemed the human race from barbarism. It is battering down 
the walls of paganism. It has entered the forests, subdued the 
wild beasts and wilder savages. It has felled the trees and made 
the wilderness "blossom as the rose." It has cast its bread 
upon the waters and the receding waves have returned it a hun- 
dredfold. It has built public libraries, churches and schools. 

Hope! Oh, what would the heart be without hope? Hope 
of happiness; hope of success; hope of seeing friends; hope of all 
good things on earth; hope of Heaven. 

Without hope there is despair, and despair is death. The 
shadows of sadness would settle down over this old world of 
ours. Civilization would come to a standstill, recede and rot. 
The fields of progress would be blocked by our broken hopes. 
The dial of time would be turned backward. The nations ot 
the earth would forget God, the pall of another period of the 
dark ages would settle down upon us, and our eyes would stare 
wildly at "death on a white horse and hell following after." 

But thanks to an all-wise Providence, hope is the inspiration 
of the age. It is quickening the fires of genius, and conquering 
the forces of nature. 

Hope is the mainspring of intellectual activity. It is measur- 
ing the distance to the stars and conquering the relentless waves 
of old ocean. Hope ! Hope to be great ; hope to be good ; hope 
for others, and hope for ourselves is bringing the forces of nature 
at our feet and making of them our servants. And the last hope, 
the greatest of all, the one around which all others cling, is the 
hope of eternity. 

The fettered prisoner in his dark cell, the diseased sufferer 
on his bed of anguish, the friendless wanderer on the unshel- 
tered waste; each cherish some spark of this pure and ever Hv- 
ing light. Like the beam of heaven, it glows with indestruct- 
ible brilliance ; to the heart of man it is cheering and invigorat- 
ing. Hope is the sunlight on the hilltop when the valley is dark. 

Hope is the bird of happiness, in time of despair, on whose 
wings we soar away into that blessed life among choicest pleas- 
ures of heaven. It has sunshine in its eye, encouragement on 
its tongue and inspiration under its wing. Rich and glorious is 
hope ! Cultivate well this ever-shining flower of hope. It is 
the evergreen of life, that grows at the eastern gate of the soul's 
garden. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 13 

A MOTHER'S LOVK 

The sweetest flower that blooms on the tree of human life 
is a mother's love. 

The gentle hand that rocks the cradle in childhood's happy- 
dream, is the hand that rules the world. 

Long and sleepless nights she watched over your pillow — 
kissed your golden curls — and dropped a tear upon your cheek. 

Long hours she passed, thinking of the future of her child — 
when life's battle must be fought — and oceans of trouble would 
roll and dash over your pathway. Long years have passed — 
but that mother's love is not forgotten — and you can see her as 
but yesterday — you can almost feel her tender touch — and see 
her loving face. Time flies but memory holds us fast. Those 
dear, sweet days are gone — the innocent bud of childhood has 
developed into manhood and womanhood. The morning of life 
— the spring of youth has faded like a flower, and the leaves of 
life's autumn are fastly falling about your head. 

You have said good-by to the old home, good-by to kind old 
father, good-by to that precious mother, good-by to brothers and 
sisters and now the time has come when you must sit in your 
own home and think of the future of your children — as your 
mother thought of you. 

You are wondering if the tide of the years will drift them far 
away from your arms— and the future only can tell. But 
wherever they may go — into whatever land they may roam — 
they will never forget the home they left behind. If you want 
them to remember the golden hours of childhood — if you want 
them to remember a mother's love, you must make your home a 
little heaven on earth. 



^ 

A SWARM OF B'S. 

Be lovable and loving if you would be loved. 
Be friendly if you would have friends. 
Be honest if you would be trusted. 
Be truthful if you would be believed. 
Be obedient if you would be God's child. 
Be prayerful if you would talk with God. 
Be cheerful if you would be happy. 
Be thoughtful if you would be careful. 
Be kind if you would have the good will of men. 
Be generous in sowing good seed if you would reap a gol- 
den harvest. 
Be grateful if you believe in gratitude. 
Be jolly if you would be joyous. 
Be bold if you would hold. 
Be charitable if you would be generous. 



14 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Be clean if you would be holy. 

Be strong if you would help others. 

Be zealous if you would win. 

Be just if you would desire justice. 

Be honorable if you would be honored. 

Be positive if you would be impressive. 

Be polite if you would be respected. 

Be temperate if you would be healthy. 

Be modest if you would not be misunderstood. 

Be sympathetic if you would console others. 

Be economical if you would have money. 

Be systematic if you would have much. 

Be helpful if you would be helped. 

Be wise if you would not be otherwise. 

Be "schoolish" if you would not be foolish. 

Be an "early bird" but not the "early worm." 

Be a bee if you would be industrious. 

Be a honey bee if you would gather sweets from upturned 

flowers. 
Be an optimist if you would be a bee. 



TAKE IT WITH YOU. 

"I hope you'll have a pleasant time," said my friend as I 
was starting out to spend the evening 

"Thank you ; I always do, for I take it with me," I replied. 

And that is a great big secret. Most people wish to have a 
good time. And that's right. But so many of them seem to 
fail. Why don't they take it with them? They can; they 
should. The good time is in you. It is with you as to whether 
you have good neighbors and find pleasant people everywhere 
you go. The glory of the heavens, the gorgeousness of the sun- 
rise and the sunset, the sweetness of bird songs, the beauty of 
waving trees and blooming flowers, the very goodness of God 
itself — all are in you, all depend on what you arc, on what 3'ou 
have brought with you. 

What kind of time do you want to have? It rests with you. 
Will you walk in clear light or stumble along in gloom? Will 
you be strong and joyous, or weak and sad? It rests with you. 



"FOR MOTHER." 

He was only a mite of a boy, dirtv and ragged, and he had 
stopped for a little while in one of fhe city's free playgrounds 
to watch a game of ball between boys of his own and a rival 
neighborhood. Tatters and grime were painfully in evidence 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 15 

on' every side ; but this little fellow attracted the attention of a 
group of visitors, and one of them, reaching over the child's 
shoulder as he sat on the ground, gave him a lucious golden 
pear. The boy's eyes sparkled, but the eyes were the only thanks 
as he looked back to see from whence the gift had come, and then 
turned his face away again, too shy or too much astonished to 
speak. But from that time, his attention was divided between 
the game and his new treasure. He patted the pear; he looked 
at it ; and at last, as if to assure himself that it was as delicious 
as it appeared, he lifted it to his lips and cautiously bit out a 
tiny piece near the stem. Then with a long sigh of satisfaction 
and assurance, he tucked the prize safely inside his dirty little 
blouse. 

"Why don't you eat it, Tony?" demanded a watchful ac- 
quaintance. 

"Eat it? All myself? Ain't I savin' it for mother?" 
The tone, with its mingling of resentment and loyalty, made 
further speech unnecessary. Whatever Tony lacked, and it 
seemed to be nearly everything, he had learned humanity's loftiest 
lesson; he had another dear/^*- than self, and knew the joy of 
sacrifice. 



A BAND OF MERCY. 

A touching incident which was seen on a Boston street, one 
cold winter day, illustrates the way in which suffering begets 
charity. It was one of the cheerless windy days, when the air 
is full of snowflakes while yet it seems too cold to snow in 
earnest. 

On a bleak street was an iron plate in the sidewalk, around 
which thin streams of steam arose. On this bit of warm sur- 
face hovered a little girl, not more than four or five years old, 
pinched with the cold and hunger, and most scantily dressed. 

As she crouched over the warm plate, an ill-looking dog came 
drifting down the street. He hesitated as he came into the cir- 
cle of warm air, and with a wistful whine looked up into the 
face of the girl. Instantly the little girl moved over to make 
room for her fellow waif. 

"Poor doggie!" she said, hugging her forlorn shawl closer 
about her, "is he cold, too?" 

And the two comrades in misfortune shared together the hos- 
pitality of the iron plate in perfect fellowship. 



i6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

PRAISE YOUR WIFE. 

A sunshiny husband makes a merry, beautiful home, worth 
having, worth working for. If a man is breezy, cheery, con- 
siderate and sympathetic, his wife sings in her heart over her 
puddings, and her mending basket, counts the hours till he re- 
turns at night, and renews her youth in the security she feels of 
his approbation and admiration. You may think it weak or 
childish if you please, but it is the admired wife, who hears 
words of praise and receives smiles of commendation, who is 
capable, discreet and executive. I have seen a timid, meek, self- 
distrusting, little body fairly bloom into strong, self-reliant wom- 
anhood, under the tonic and the cordial of companionship with 
a husband who really went out of his way to find occasion for 
showing her how fully he trusted her judgment, and how ten- 
derly he deferred to her judgment, and how tenderly he deferred 
to her opinion. In home life there should be no jar, no striving 
for place, no insisting on prerogatives, or division of interest. 
The husband and the wife are each the complement of the other. 
And it is just as much his duty to be cheerful as it is hers to be 
patient; his right to bring joy into the door as it is hers to gar- 
nish the pleasant interior. A family where the daily walk of 
the father makes life a festival is filled with something like 
heavenly benediction. 



THE POOR ARE RICH. 

Said Jesus: "The poor ye always have with you." Yes, my 
friend — I would choose to be poor from a financial standpoint 
and rich in faith, hope and love than to have the wealth of the 
earth combined without the sweetness of living. None are so 
poor in money but that they can be rich in joy. You have a 
clean, clear, peaceful conscience — you are rich. You have Christ 
— you are indeed rich ! You have a genuine warrantee deed to 
heaven — signed by God — attested by the King of all nations — 
written in fadeless ink, consisting of atoning blood. Yes, in- 
deed, you are rich. "In my Father's house are many mansions 
— I go to prepare a place for you." 

"My Father is rich in houses and land. 
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hand." 

He is indef'd rich who hath an all powerful — divine King as 
his loving Father and Redeemer. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 17 

HOME 

Here is a man who has been down town all day, in the full 
tide of care that from morning to night floods the markets, offices 
and streets of our great cities. Tired, nervous, irritable, possibly 
a little disheartened, he starts for his home. If it is winter, 
when he enters there is a bit of bright fire that makes a bad 
temper seem like a sin in the contrast; a noise of children that 
is not dissonant, and an evident care for his comfort, telling 
plainer than any words how constantly he has been in the mind 
of the house-mother while breasting the stress and strife of 
the day; while a low, sweet voice, that excellent thing in wom- 
an, greets him with words that ripple over the fevered spirit 
like cool water. And the man who can nurse a bad temper 
after that deserves to suffer for it. There is no place on earth 
into which a man can go with such perfect assurance that he 
will feel the shadow of healing, as into such a home as that. It 
is the very gate of heaven. 

^{ 



CHASING RAINBOWS. 

How many people go thru life deluded with the conviction 
that if they could only get a little more money, get into a little 
more comfortable position, own a little better home, or if they 
could only get over the particular trouble that is annoying them 
at the time, they would be happy! 

I know a man who had a very hard boyhood, suffered great 
poverty, who is now fifty years old^ and has always honestly be- 
lieved that if he could get the particular thing he was after, 
or get over the particular difficulty that was annoying him at that 
moment, he would be perfectly happy; but he is the same anx- 
ious, restless, expectant spirit to-day as when a youth. He 
has been quite successful, and has done some remarkable things; 
but he is invariably in hot water. There is always something 
that nettles him or destroys his happiness, and altho he is a well- 
meaning man, he has made his family, his employees and every- 
body about him unhappy, because he is always fretting and 
worrying, always borrowing trouble. 



FAST YOUNG MEN. 

Young man, slow up; the pace you are setting is a killing 

one. You may fancy that you are making a stunning star in 
life's race, but it is the star that will distance you in the end. 
Don't go too fast, my lad. "Slow and sure" has taken down 



i8 'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

more purses than any other racer that ever went around the 
track. You are smoking half a dozen cigars a day. Slow up, 
that means a home in a few years. You are buying all the new 
clothes that come to town. Slow up. That means a farm m 
a few years. Besides, all the glad rags in the world never 
made a man. You are taking an occasional drink with good 
intentions. You are winning the smiles of some silly girl by 
spending all you can upon her. Slow up— a wife won that way 
is worse than the seven-year itch, because it lasts longer. You 
are gambling a little now and then — just taking a few chances 
for the fun of the thing. Slow up. Suckers are small fish at 
first, and never grow to be very large, but they were first nib- 
blers. You can blow yourself out of the running before the 
quarter is reached by just trying to keep up with the crowd. 
Contract bad habits, keep foolish company, listen to bad advice, 
spend all you can and be in debt, swell around and act the dude 
and you will have a good time for ten years and a bad time for 
sixty. Be wise, clean and economical that life may be large, 
fine and splendid. 

^ 



WHAT EACH LETTER OF WHISKEY MEANS. 

Weeping over lost manhood, money and friends. 
Hell on earth and hell hereafter. 
Intemperance of habit and inability to work. 
Seduction of virtue and sowing evil. 
Kicks to loved ones and bitter words. 
Everything degraded, low and mean. 
Yourself a drunkard, your life a wreck. 



WHAT EACH LETTER OF TEMPERANCE MEANS. 

Time well spent and improved. 

Employment, money and usefulness. 

Many friends to adore you. 

Pure speech, character and morals. 

Everything good that temperance can bring. 

Reason in every season. 

Always sober and careful. 

New energy with the dawn of morning. 

Consistency in everything. 

Encouragement to fight life's battle bravely. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 19 

DISCOURAGING A TALE-BEARER. 

It was said of Hannah Moore that when she was told a tale 
against another in her village, her reply usually was: 

"Come, we will go and ask if that be true." 

The effect was something wonderful. The tale-bearer, ta- 
ken aback, would begin to say, "Well, perhaps there might have 
been a mistake," and to beg that no notice be taken of the 
matter. 

But no; the good lady would go, there and then, taking the 
scandal-monger with her to make inquiry and compare accounts. 

If all the tale-bearers could be treated in this way, how fev/ 
tales would be told! 



TEN RULES HOW TO BRING DOWN A SON. 

1. Let him have plenty of spending money. 

2. Permit him to choose his own companions without re- 
straint or directions. 

3. Give him a latch-key and allow him to return home late 
in the evening. 

4. Make no inquiry as to where and with whom he spends 
his leisure moments. 

5. Give him to understand that manners make a good sub- 
stitute for morality. 

6. Teach him to expect pay for every act of helpfulness to 
others. 

7. Allow him to occupy a seat in church with the boys rather 
than a pew with his parents. 

8. Permit him to regard the Sunday-school unsuitable for 
boys on the verge of young manhood. 

9. Let him spend the Sabbath hours between services on 
the street. 

10. Be careful never to let him hear your voice in prayer 
for his salvation and spiritual growth. 



-36- 



TEN RULES HOW TO BRING UP A SON. 

1. Make home the brightest and most attractive place on 
earth. 

2. Make him responsible for the performance of a limited 
number of daily duties.^ 

3. Never punish him in anger. 

4. Do not ridicule his conceits, but rather talk frankly on 
matters in which he is interested. 



20 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

5. Let him feel free to invite his friends to your home and 
table. 

6. Encourage his confidence by giving ready sympathy and 
advice. 

7. Do not discourage ''collection manias;" they help to give 
information and fix habits of investigation and perseverance. 

8. Be careful to impress upon his mind that making char- 
acter is more important than making money. 

9. Live Christ before him all the time ; then you will be able 
to talk Christ to him with power when occasion offers. 

10. Be much in prayer for his salvation and spiritual growth. 



X 

REUNION IN HEAV^. 

Heaven is not a solitude ; it is a people'd city, a city in which 
there are no strangers, no homeless, no poor ; where no one is 
envious of another's more brilliant crown. When God said, in 
the ancient Eden, "It is not good for man to be alone," there 
was a deeper significance in the words than could be exhausted 
or explained by the family tie. It was the declaration of an 
essential want which the Creator in His highest wisdom has 
impressed upon the noblest of His works. That is not life — 
you do not call that life — where the hermit in some moorland 
glade drags out a solitary existence, or where the captive in 
some cell of bondage, frets and pines unseen. 

Life, all kinds of life, tends to companionship, and rejoices 
in it, from the larvae and buzzing insect up to the kingly 
lion and the kinglier man. It is a social state into which we 
are introduced, as well as a state of consciousness. Not only, 
therefore, does the Savior pray for His disciples, "Father, I will 
that those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, 
that they may behold my glory," but those who are in that 
heavenly recompense are said to have come "to the general as- 
sembly and church of the first born written in heaven." Aye, 
and better than that, and dearer to some of us, "to the spirit of 
just men made perfect." 

The question of the recognition of departed friends in 
heaven, and special and intimate reunion with them, Scripture 
and reason enable us to infer with almost absolute certainty. 
It is implied in the fact that the resurrection is a resurrection 
of individuals, that it is this mortal that shall put on immor- 
tality. It is implied in the fact that heaven is a vast and happy 
society; and it is implied in the fact that there is no unclothing 
of the nature that we possess, only the clothing upon it of the 
garments of a brighter and more glorious immortality. 

Take comfort, then, those of you in whose history the dearest 
charities of life have been severed by the rude hand of death; 



'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 21 

those whom you have thought about as lost are not lost, except 
to present sight. Perhaps even now they are angel watchers, 
screened by a kindly Providence from everything about that 
would give you pain; but if you and they are alike, in Jesus, 
and remain faithful to the end, doubt not you shall know them 
again. 

^5 

THE LITTLE FLOWER. 

One summer day in the city, I sat in my office writing poems 
and stories in which I tried to draw sweet pictures and lessons 
for toiling humanity, and in opening my mail I read the fol- 
lowing from a kind friend who lived in one of our pretty Ken- 
tucky towns : 

"Dear Mr. Popham: Can you not come to our home for a 
few days' rest? The whole family joins me in this invitation. 
Our citizenship will be glad to welcome you, and if you will 
consent, will be glad to hear another one of your lectures." 

To say the least, I accepted their kind invitation and spent 
two joyful days with them. I was met at the depot with a car- 
riage and driven directly to the pretty home of my friends. A 
neat cool room was prepared and I found both comfort and 
refreshment. 

The next morning about sunrise, I was sitting at the open 
window admiring the horizon bordered with crimson and silver, 
and now and then looking through the honey-suckles across 
the orchard. 

Everything was still and sweet while I leaned back in an 
easy rocker and thought of the beautiful. The wind blew softly 
across the grass, gently caressing my brow. 

Presently my eyes fell upon the little girl of age six who 
stood below the window with a vase of fresh roses in one hand 
and a pretty lily in the other. She stood there a moment, look- 
ing shyly into my room. Then I smiled a ''good morning" 
bow — and she tilted her curly head with glee. The next I saw 
of the child, she stood before me in my room and, extending 
the vase of roses in one hand, said, "Mamma said that you loved 
roses so much that I should bring you these." 

I took the vase with thanks, and the darling still stood with 
the lily in her hand. She looked like she wanted to say some- 
thing, but her little eyes only did the speaking. I put my hand 
upon her golden hair and said, "Oh, such a pretty lily; and 
where did it come from?" "I tuck it from the garden," she 
cooed, "and brung it to you." 

"Such a sweet little darling^ you are," said I, as I took the 
lily from her tiny fingers and kissing her soft hand. 

"How would you like to be a little flower?" said I as she sat 
on my knee. 



22 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

"Oh, I would like it," she exclaimed, clapping her tiny hands. 

"Well, you can be a sweet little flower," said I, "and blos- 
som for Jesus." 

"I know who Jesus is," she said. 

"Who is Jesus?" I questioned. 

"Jesus is the good man who keeps little children safe at 
night," said the darling. 

"Yes, and thru the day, too," said I. Then I told her the 
sweet, simple story of Jesus and how he loved and blessed lit- 
tle children, and her little eyes sparkled like two diamonds. 

There were a great many ways this sweet child learned to 
blossom for Jesus. She would greet her tired father at the gate 
and kiss away his furrows of care. She was the little sunbeam 
that melted her mother's cloud. She could and did bring her 
mother drinks of cool water, and blossomed every day by doing 
kind deeds. She picked up scraps from the floor for her moth- 
er and always had a smile to drive others' frowns away. 

Indeed, she did become a flower. 

May every child become just such a flower and always blos- 
som for Jesus. 



YOUR FRIEND. 

Recognizing the fact that friendship has its limits, we should 
not claim too much. We can never fully understand each other 
and our modes of thought will always differ. Each person's 
conscience must speak for itself. Each one's will execute its 
own decisions. Responsibility belongs to the individual ; and 
duty is untransferable. We must recognize in our friends this 
personal element and not seek its eradication. 

Bitterness and sarcasm, a hasty temper, self-will and dogmat- 
ism have dug the graves of many friendships ; and stupidity 
and stubbornness impoverish the heart and render it unsuscep- 
tible to purest joys. 

Friends know what there is in the human hear.. Love 
opens the door ; there is no other key. Each from the same 
level, looks straight into the heart of the other. 

If you have a friend, tried and true, 3'ou are rich indeed. 
There is one soul whom you can trust, who knows your best 
and worst side ; who will always speak the truth without flattery 
and yet with love's diplomacy, which leaves a sweet distillation 
in the heart; who will comfort and encourage in sorrow and 
adversity and moderate exultation in prosperity; and who, 
while lamenting faults, will continue changeless in affection. 
To pledge and resolve in the presence of a friend makes one 
strong and brave. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 23 

ECHOES OF NATURE. 

When history grows old, stories grow dull and books be- 
come dry, 1 like to flee from the library to the fields of nature 
and woodland dells. 

I like to see the vines embrace the tottering walls and see 
the birds play hide-and-seek thru the cool branches. I like to 
see the white doves cluster in fluttering groups and hear their 
melodious cooing. I like to see their majestic wings flutter in 
the air amid the fleecy clouds. I like to feel the embracing 
morning air in the meadow and see the still calm of the eve- 
ning. I like to see the white-winged ships departing upon the 
waters, which are suggestive of adventures and romance. I 
like to sit under the leafy boughs beyond the bending lane and 
watch the children build frog-houses in the sand. 

Every flower is a bouquet of sentiment from nature's heart, 
and every green sprig of moss hath its noble mission. 

I saw the violets blush, 
I heard the singing thrush, 
I saw the roses red 
Kiss each other's head. 
I saw the branches quiver, 
I saw the bending river; 
And with sentiment strong 
My heart was full of song. 

Sing on, ye birds of silver melody, bloom on, ye flowers of 
rich perfijme, for there is enough joy in thy song and bud to 
fill the wofld with poems. 

Let me repose in nature's cradle rocked by the summer wind. 

Let me hear the thrush's morning song and the nightingale's 
evening warble. Let me see the mated birds in the cedar trees 
and hear their thrills of joy. Take your classic lore and fiction 
stories, take your schools of fame and historic fables — but give 
me the open fields of nature and nature's God and I will carpet 
the world with the velvet splendor of a poet's loom. 



-Jf- 



A REVISED FAILURE IN SCHOOL. 

The boy's face was a dull red under his tan. He would 
rather have taken any kind of punishment than face his father, 
but he went straight to the office. 

"I've failed," he said briefl3^ Then he turned his back and 
stood at the window trying to whistle. 

"Dick!" his father called. 

The boy turned, the whistle dying on his lips, his eyes full 
of surprise. He knew how much his father had wanted him to 



24 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

pass ; yet there was no reproof in his voice ; he was even smil- 
ing a little and his grip brought a rush of dumb gratitude to 
the boy's throat. 

"Began to 'make up' too late, didn't you?" his father asked. 

The boy nodded. 

**Well, it was a failure, of course; whether it stays a failure 
or not depends upon what it has done to you. Failure is one of 
the commonest things in life — failure in a man's business, in his 
ambitions, in his hopes. Jewett failed the other day — do you 
know what his creditors are going to do?" 

"No," the boy answered eagerly. 

"Set him up again. It was a magnificent failure — conditions 
he couldn't hold out against without dishonesty, so he let every- 
thing else go and kept his honor. And his creditors are going 
to help him to his feet again because they believe in him. Now, 
Dick, I believe in my boy, and I am going to let him decide for 
himself. I'll find you a position, or — you can take the year over 
and try again. That would be tough, I know — perhaps too 
tough for you, I shall not say a word if you choose business." 

But the boy's head was up now, his eyes clear and deter- 
mined, looking straight into his father's. 

"I'm going to take it over," he declared. 



"NUMBER ONE." 

"He is a Number One boy," said grandmother, proudly. 
"A great boy for his books. Indeed, he would rather read than 
play, and that is saying a good deal for a boy of ten." 

"It is, certainly," returned Uncle John; "but what a pity it is 
that he is blind!" 

"Blind!" exclaimed grandmother. And the Number One 
boy looked up, too, in wonder. 

"Yes, blind, and a little deaf, also, I fear," answered Uncle 
John. 

"Why, John, what put that into your head?" asked grand- 
mother, looking perplexed. 

"Why the Number One boy himself," said Uncle John. "He 
has been occupying the one easy chair in the room all the after- 
noon, never seeing you, nor his mother when she came in for 
a few minutes' rest. Then, when your glasses were mislaid, 
and you had to climb upstairs, two or three times to look for 
them, he neither saw nor heard anything that was going on." 

"Oh, he is so busy reading," apologized grandmother. 

"That is not a very good excuse, mother," replied Uncle 
John, smiling. "If Number One is not blind or deaf, he must 
be very selfish, indeed, to occupy the best seat in the room, and 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 25 

let older people run up and down stairs while he takes his ease." 
"Nobody asked me to give up my seat nor to run on errands," 

said Number One. 

"That should not have been necessary," urged Uncle John. 

"What are a boy's eyes and ears for, if not to keep him posted 

on what is going on around him?" 

"You're right. Uncle John. I have been both deaf and 

blind, but I'm cured now," and with a spring from the chair our 

Number One boy made place for grandmother. 



-^ 



A SIMPLER LIFE. 

If we will, we can live comfortably, happily, rationally and 
nobly, and yet do without many things pleasing to the senses. 
We are always in danger of multiplying our wants. By so do- 
ing we endanger the higher life. If we live too much on things 
material we starve the spirit. As Jesus says, a man's life does 
not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Our 
present danger in the family, in society, everywhere, even in the 
Church, is that we forget this elementary rule. We want the 
things that cost money. If we stop for a moment we will 
realize that to-day most of our troubles are economic. How 
shall the things of this world be more evenly distributed? And 
now whilst we are in favor of every man having a square deal, 
in favor of a just distribution of things of this world; yet of 
one thing we are persuaded, and that is that we would serve 
ourselves and the state greatly if we would by choice, by effort, 
by struggles if necessary, live a simpler life, as far as material 
things are concerned. Let us seek our true gratification in 
higher thoughts, nobler ideals, in truth, kindness, service, right- 
eousness and love — in living to the spirit. 



SEARCHING QUESTIONS. 

What right has a Christian lady to give herself away to a 
skeptical scoffer — a man that hates her Bible, her Christ, and 
her God — a man that tramples the 'aw of her God under his 
feet? What right has a Christian man to become linked with 
a scoffing, swearing woman that has no faith in God and the 
Bible? "Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers." Yet 
the moment you touch this question they throw up their heads 
and say, "I will marry whom I please." Well, we give you the 
word of God, and if you go against that you must reap what 
you sow. There are hundreds of men and women in this coun- 



2^ Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

try weeping, and they are reaping bitter fruit. Oh, how many 
times I have had a mother come to me with a broken heart and 
say, "I want you to pray for my drunken son." "How came 
your son to be a drunkard?" "Well, my husband set a bad ex- 
ample. He insisted upon having wine upon the table." "How 
long have you been a Christian? Were you a Christian before 
you married him?" "Yes." "Did you know he was a scoffer 
before you married him?" "Yes, but I thought I might save 
him." You had better "save him" before you mary him; better 
see him converted before you risk your happiness, and possibly 
your own soul. 



DISPOSITION. 

Have you ever said, "I wish I had a more cheerful disposi- 
tion!" How much do you wish it? Enough to dispose your- 
self so as to be in the way of getting it? Your words are idle 
and sinful unless you will have it instead of wishing to have it. 
You are not responsible for the disposition you are born with, 
but you are responsible for the one you die with. 

Everything you carelessly or seriously propose to do affects 
what you are disposed to do. You are disposed to look on the 
dark side, borrow trouble, and say discouraging things. Sup- 
pose you earnestly propose for one week to look for pleasant 
things, and speak of them, and never speak of what you dread 
or do not like. You will be more cheerfully and happily dis- 
posed at the end of the week, and you know it. "If ye know 
these things, happy are yet if ye do them." 



MAKE YOURSELF WANTED. 

"When I was a little boy I was a trifle inclined to hold back 
and wait to be coaxed," says a writer. "I remember sitting beside 
the brook one day, while the other children were building a 
dam. They were wading, carrying stones, splashing the mud 
and shouting orders, but none of them paid any attention to me. 
I began to feel abused and lonely, and was blubbering over my 
neglected condition, when Aunt Sally came down the road. 

"What's the matter, sonny? Why ain't you playing with 
the rest?" 

" 'They don't want me,' I said, digging my fists into my eyes. 
'They never asked me to come.' 

"I expected sympathy, but she gave me an impatient shake 
and push. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 27 

"'Is that all, you little ninny? Nobody wants folks that'll 
sit around on a bank and wait to be asked,' she cried. 'Run 
along with the rest, and make yourself wanted.' 

'That shake and push did the work. Before I had time to 
recover from my indignant surprise, I was in the middle of the 
stream, and soon was as busy and as happy as the others." 



A BRIGHT BOY. 

A characteristic story is told of a well known New York 
lawyer. When he was a boy looking for something to do, he 
saw the sign, "Boy Wanted," hanging outside of a store in New 
York. He picked up the sign and entered the store. The pro- 
prietor met him. "What did you bring that sign in here for?" 
asked the storekeeper. "You won't need it any more," said the 
boy cheerfully. "I'm going to take the job." 



A WOMAN'S KINGDOM. 

You have a throne, dear, tho' you may not realize it, but the 
throne is real and you are a Queen and all the responsibility 
and care and joy and sorrow that are always a part of a throne 
are part and parcel of your throne, too. 

You have a little kingdom, all your own ; your domain may 
be small, but it is yours to rule or misrule. Perhaps the con- 
fines of your home is the limit of your kingdom, but its boun- 
daries are not to be despised ; its possibilities are limitless, and 
you may well be proud to be Queen of a home and rule from 
its precious throne. 

Your throne may be in the social world, and you have great 
power to mold public sentiment. A word from you may make 
or mar a life; some soul may be inspired to lofty aspirations 
by your encouragement or fall to the depths because of your in- 
difference or condemnation. 

The circle of your kingdom may be your heart alone, but 
the Book says : "He that ruleth his own spirit, is greater than he 
who taketh a city:" 

But, dear, wherever your kingdom may be, wherever your 
throne rests, is the place where you can be of greatest use — it 
is where God wants you. 



28 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

THIRTY THINGS TO REMEMBER. 

1. Kemember that work is only a means; character is the 
end. 

2. That sincerity is the foundation of all honest work, 

3. That sorrow is the price most men pay for lasting attain- 
ments. 

4. That you label your own work. 

5. That no one can hold you down if you are determined to 
succeed. 

6. That every man is destined to do something worth while. 

7. That many roads lead to Rome. 

8. That most people judge you by first impression. 

9. That few men succeed until they try. 

10. That hard work is no small part- of genius. 
IT. That it takes no longer to say kind words than those that 
cut. ■ 

12. That the only way to keep your credit good is by paying 
your debts. 

13. That it is easier to do good work than poor, if you once 
learn how. 

14. That the more difficult things are to accomplish, the more 
worth while. 

15. That a sensible employer is more anxious to push you 
ahead than to hold you down. 

16. That you are one link in a great chain. 

17. That ambition develops ; selfishness thwarts body and 
mind. 

18. That rules are necessary to a business as laws are for 
right government. 

19. That you can't learn everything in one day. 

20. The fact that you are being employed is a promise of 
good work. 

21. That your boss often appreciates 3'our good work. 

22. That times, progress, and methods change. 

23. That it is legitimate to talk about your goods as long as 
you tell the truth. 

24. That there is only one way to sell goods; place them in 
the market of advantage. 

25. That many a man might seek you as a customer if he 
could find you out. 

26. That only cowards are afraid to venture. 

27. That even angels are impatient once in a while. 

28. That it is foolish to bear a grudge. Unkind feelings are 
not marketable. 

29. That it pays to dress well, even in business. 

30. That every workman thinks if he were the boss he 
would act differently. 



'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 29 

'•KEEPERS AT HOME." 

In these days of womanly activity in so many varying direc- 
tions, it seems hardly possible to some of us to obey the apos- 
tolic injunction. For "woman's work," as at present conducted, 
has wonderfully widened. Her earnest zeal in every good word 
and work meets with such gratifying success that "woman's 
century" is no misnomer, because of the numerous instrumen- 
talities for good abounding thru her means. Still, 'mid the stir- 
ring calls for help from this agency, and that association, and 
for all those groupings of capital letters (which is getting to be 
almost bewildering), mothers must pause and heed the Divine 
Word, to be "keepers at home." To the mother, pre-eminently, 
is given the home-making faculty, and her presence is essential 
to its comfort and good cheer. H she answers all calls upon 
her for benevolent work — it matters not if the material com- 
fort of the home is secu/ed and order and neatness reign — the 
family tie is impaired, and the family suffers by the loss of her 
personality. I unhesitatingly assert that no mother has a right 
to deprive her family of the light and warmth and comfort 
which naturally radiate from a good woman's presence in the 
household, and give any large portion of her time to good works 
outside the door of home. But let her be always, and at all 
times, a power for good; so that all whom her influence reaches 
or whose lines in any way touch hers shall know of a surety 
that she is a living evangel. Pure of heart, with helping hands, 
and willing feet to go in the way of the Lord's commands. I 
am not of those who belittle "woman's work." It is noble and 
ennobling. I rejoice and am glad to live in these times v/hen 
organized effort meets with such grand success. I believe in 
aiding those who carry on the battle directly, but not in neglect- 
ing home interests to do so. My strong conviction is that wom- 
an's most effective work must be done in the home. 

If every home was what it ought to be, the outside work 
would be immensely lessened. "There is no place like home," if 
it be, indeed, what every mother ought to make of home. No 
duties in life are so sacred to woman as those made necessary 
by her position as wife and mother. Called of God to fill that 
position, what eternal interests are committed to her care ; and 
her companionship is of untold value and permanent benefit to 
those who share it. The refining, restraining guidance of an 
intelligent, large-hearted, God-fearing mother, who can esti- 
mate? Happy homes ought to be abundantly common, but 
observation reveals the fact that they are rather the exception 
than the rule, and mothers are not always, not indiscriminately, 
blameworthy. But in far too many cases, wreck of boy and ruin 
of girl are directly traceable to the homelife ; to the lack of 
confidence and tender love and sympathy, and of the watchful, 
prayerful training which abides in every home that approxi- 
mates perfection. That household in which the familiar out- 



30 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

cry, "Where's mother?" from the children coming home from 
play or school, is heard — must be wrongfully constituted. 
How can a mother expect to keep her hold upon the affections 
of her children, and cultivate in them a love of home, if she 
herself be habitually absent, intent on some outside work, that 
she mistakenly calls a duty? The mother who is much away 
from home, wrongs not only her children, but herself, and like 
of old, she will find no place for repentance in after years, tho' 
she seek it carefully with tears. It is certainly true, as our 
well-beloved Longfellow hath sung: "Home-keeping hearts are 
happiest." However, mothers should not stay constantly at 
home like they were "glued there;" but should visit friends, 
kinsfolk, "take a day off" now and then and bask in the sun- 
shine of God's fresh air. 



^ 



THE YOUNG MAN WHO SUCCEEDS. 

The young man who succeeds in life is not one who is pos- 
sessed of unclean habits, indolence and dissipation. Neither is 
the successful person one who waits for opportunities to come; 
but the winner in life's battle must make his own opportunities. 

Generally the young man who makes his mark in life is one 
who early in his teens forms clearly a definite purpose as to 
his life-work; and then steadily adheres to that purpose. If 
his training and education are such that it is better for him to be 
a farmer, then he should read and study constantly along that 
line and put in practice, as far as possible, things that will be 
likely to prove helpful and profitable when he commences on his 
own account. The successful farmers of to-day, the successful 
farmers of the future are those who read and think as well as 
work, and he who unites brains and muscle is the one that will 
accomplish the best results, and who will find his occupation a 
constant source of joy as well as profit. Very many young 
men stand on the threshold of life and look with admiration 
Upon the men who are succeeding in various lines of business 
and rnake up their minds that they will adopt this or that oc- 
cupation or profession, without considering the question care- 
fully as to their adaptability to that particular line of busi- 
ness. They do not, in the first place, realize the hours, days, 
weeks and years of unceasing application that these parties 
have put into their work to make it the success that it is. 
Hard work is but another name for genius, and too many 
in undertaking what they believe to be their life-work, look 
only to the brighter and prosperous side, not realizing that 
it is ncessary to endure a vast amount of drudgery in any 
line of business in order to make a success of it. Neither 

(ssrealth, positiou, educational advantages, good business con- 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold, 31 

nections, nor any outside influence will enable a young man 
to succeed in life who is not thoroughly master of his busi- 
ness. He who sets his whole heart on getting rich is not 
to be depended upon for success. 

Work, study, deserve success and success will come. 
Then riches or financial results will follow. Strive to win 
not only for the sake of success, but to be an honor to your 
profession and a help to humanity. Forget not to recognize 
God, obeying His commandments at all times. 

Don't flatter yourself with the hope of gaining success 
without recognition of the Divine. 

Not only is it necessary to work your own hands and 
brains, but wise to have many subordinates ; but pay them 
well for their labor and promote them according to their 
faithfulness and merit. Don't think you are their superiors 
simply because they are your employees. Many employees 
are far superior to their master if they only had an oppor- 
tunity to cultivate their natural ability. 

But few men have grown rich working entirely with their 
own hands and brains unaided; but both skill and wisdom 
are needed to employ to advantage the labor and brains of 
others. One reason why many rich men's sons fail in busi- 
ness is because they rely too much upon their money, their 
business connections and friends, and then employ other 
men to do what they are unwilling to take the trouble to 
learn or to do themselves. In almost every instance where 
men have started in with such advantages as these, sooner 
or later, they have come to grief financially. It is, indeed, 
sad to see many young men growing up and drifting about 
the world, picking up a job here and there, with no definite 
aim or purpose in view, frequently acquiring extravagant 
habits which they have not, and never will have, the means 
to gratify. 

Young man, take this advice: Have a fixed aim and a 
well-defined purpose in life; and after knowing that you 
actually have an adaptability for the profession or trade to 
which you aspire, decide upon it, bring all your forces to 
bear upon it and stick to it thru "thick and thin." Let tem- 
porary failures inspire you to still more faithful efforts to 
win; and victory will be yours. Then, have a purpose in life. 
Don't simply spend your time in finding or holding "some 
job," but aspire to something far more worthy and you will 
find that this great, busy world will give you a place near 
the top of life's ladder — where space is uncrowded and where 
you will find a glorious reward. 



32 Siher Gems in Seas of Gold 

LIVING IX THE FUTURE. 

"How long the day is!" exclaimed Ina White, as she 
threw herself upon a low couch in a weary attitude toward 
the close of a summer day. 

"Why does it appear so?" I asked. 

"Thinking of to-morrow," she replied, with a gesture of 
surprise. "Will it never come?" 

I then remembered what had escaped me at first — that 
a party of pleasure had been arranged for the next day, to 
which the young people looked forward with delight. 

"Find something to do," I returned; "busy yourself in 
some way. I do not say let your heart be less glad in the 
prospect before you, but I do say, let not the anticipation of 
it make you weary and dull to-day." 

Ina was a dear girl, and easily convinced of right, so 
she followed my advice. Presently I saw her at her mother's 
feet, assisting with some sewing. 

"Right!" I thought. "To-day's duty is the best prepara- 
tion for to-morrow's joy." 



LIFE IS SWEET. 

It was a summer's morning. I was awakened by the 
rushing of a distant engine, bearing along a tide of men 
to their busy work. Cool sea-breezes stole thru the trees 
embowering my window; the humming-bird was fluttering 
over the honeysuckle at my door; the grass glittered with 
dewdrops. A maiden was coming from the dairy across the 
lawn, with a silver mug of new milk in her hand; by the 
other hand she led a child. The young woman was in the 
full beauty of ripened and perfect womanhood. Her step 
was elastic and vigorous, moderate labor had developed 
without impairing her fine person. Her face beamed with 
intelligent life, conscious power, calm dignity, and sweet 
temper. "How sweet is life to this girl!" I thought, as, re- 
spected and respecting, she sustains her place in domestic 
life, distilling her pure influences into the little creature she 
holds by the hand! And how sweet then was life to that 
child! Her little form was so erect and strong — so firmly 
knit to outward life — her step so free and joyous, — her 
hair so bright, that it seemed as if a sunbeam came 
from it; it lay parted on that brow, where an infinite capacity 
had set its seal. And that spiritual eye — so quickly per- 
ceiving — so eagerly exploring! and those sweet red lips — 
love and laughter, and beauty are there. Now she snatches 
a tuft of flowers from the grass — now she springs to meet 



'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 33 

her playmate, the young frisky dog — and now she is shout- 
i-ng playfully, he has knocked her over, and they are rolling 
on the turf together! 

Life is sweet to the young, with their unfathomable 
hopes — their unlimited imaginings. It is sweeter still with 
the varied realization. Heaven has provided the ever-chang- 
ing loveliness and mysterious process of the outward world 
in the inspirations of art — in the excitement of magnanimous 
deeds — in the close knitting of affections — in the joys of the 
mother — the toils and harvest of the father — in the count- 
less blessings of hallowed domestic life. 

Life is sweet to the seeker of wisdom, and to the lover 
of science; and all progress and each discovery is a joy to 
them. 

Life is sweet to the true lovers of their race; and the 
unknown and unpraised good they do by word, or look or 
deed, is joy ineffable. 

But not alone to the wise, to the learned, to the young, 
to the healthful, to the gifted, to the happy, to the vigorous 
doer of good — is life sweet; for the patient sufferer it has a 
divine sweetness. 



ADVICE TO THE HOUSEWIFE. 

Many wives make the mistake of expecting too much 
from their husbands. They view life thru rosy-colored spec- 
tacles and expect their married life to be one grand, sweet 
song — and every day full of perfect sunshine — forgetting 
that in mutual sufferance lies the secret of true living. 

Never expose your husband's faults or peculiarities, not 
even to your mother. How would you like to have him 
discuss your shortcomings (and doubtless you have them) 
with the men of his acquaintance and the members of his 
family? How indignant you would be, and justly so. A 
wife should endeavor to take an intelligent interest in 
everything that interests her husband. In no other way can 
the bonds of fidelity and comradeship be more closely united. 

Be frank and honest with your husband. Never deceive 
in the smallest particular, for 

"O, what a tangled web we weave 
When first we practice to deceive." 

Don't neglect to have your home supplied with good 
literature and don't make such a drudge of yourself as to 
have no time to keep informed on the events of the day. 
Neither your husband nor your children will have proper 
respect for you if you allow yourself to deteriorate into a 



34 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

domestic slave. It is easier to win the love of a man than 
it is to keep it. Someone has tersely expressed it thus: 

"If girls would spend the same time making cages to 
keep their husbands that they do in making nets to catch 
them, there would be much more connubial bliss in the 
world." 

A woman's home and her housekeeping is a reflection of 
herself, the imprint of her life and her character? And if 
this be true, should it not stimulate one to do the best under 
all circumstances? Of course there are many disadvantages 
to be considered, but when we have done the best we can, 
the mantle of charity must cover the rest. A clean, cheerful 
and attractive home, upheld by industry, and the members 
united by the bonds of love, is an honor to the housewife 
and homekeeper and to the family name, and a benefit to 
our country. A neglected home is one of the saddest sights 
on earth. It speaks of sloth, discontent and unhappiness; 
it tells a sad and pitiful story, 

A most effective way to banish care from the heart and 
home is to begin each day anew. Yesterday's work is fin- 
ished now, its trials and vexations forever past; let them 
rest and turn your attention to the present. 

Whatever there may be to disturb domestic peace, keep 
it safely locked within the doors of home, and you will 
seldom regret it. There is only one who is always mighty 
to help, and He will never violate a confidence. 

No woman should ever forget that among her many 
duties there are some things she owes to herself. The re- 
spect and consideration due to every person is not always 
given unless it is required, and a loving, unselfish woman 
may sometimes find this out by waiting upon her family 
so continuously that they cease to remember her rights and 
privileges. 

A good wife is another name for "angel." She is a living 
sunbeam to banish the shadows of a lonely home. She is 
an ever blooming flower whose mission is to gladden and 
to cheer. Her gentleness and smiles make home akin to 
heaven. She is a dear household angel, who is never too 
busy to laugh. We listen for her voice and footsteps when 
we enter the house; it is lonely without her, and when 
the snows of many winters have drifted over her grave we 
still miss the smiling face and cheerful voice that once glad- 
dened our home. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 35 

ADVICE TO GIRLS AND YOUNG LADIES. 

Many young ladies of to-day ignore the fifth command- 
ment of God which teaches us to honor our father and 
mother. 

A young lady can fill a very important place in life and 
make the lives of both young men and women better because 
of her moral influence, or she may have a powerful influ- 
ence for evil, which will pull womanhood and manhood down 
to degradation and shame. 

Of all the influences over a young man in this world, 
there is none greater than the infleunce of a young lady — 
whether this infleunce be good or bad. A sister or sweet- 
heart can yield such influence over a young man who loves 
her that will cause him to stop even the most degraded 
habit; or she can encourage the young man in his immoral 
habits and debauch his manhood. 

The young lady who honors and obeys her mother from 
girlhood to womanhood will make a worthy and happy wife. 

I know of nothing more tenderly affectionate than a 
mother's love, and I have never known of a man or woman 
to reach material greatness who would pierce the painful 
sword of disobedience thru her great, true heart. 

Don't marry a man with the hope that he may be better. 
See that his habits are good and that he does better before 
you entertain the idea of marrying him. With but few ex- 
ceptions, he will never change for the better. The surest 
way to control yourself from marrying a man possessing 
immoral habits is to never learn to love him. 

Such a one is unworthy of the love of any young lady 
possessing pure womanhood. Don't respect a young man 
who uses profane language. A man of pure speech only 
can merit respect. Don't accept the friendship of any man 
who is addicted to the use of intoxicating drink. This curse 
is to-day destroying more sons, fathers and husbands and 
bringing more tears, poverty and degradation to pure moth- 
ers and beautiful daughters than any other crime that is des- 
tined to wreck our American homes. 

You cannot use too much good common sense in select- 
ing a young man for your company — a man who might some 
day ask you to share his griefs and joys; who will either 
make the home dark with sorrows or bright with kindness 
and love. You should never allow your affection to entwine 
about any young man without first consulting mother and 
father, for they have your welfare at heart, and would not 
direct you wrong, knowingly, for the world. They have 
traveled the road you must travel. They know your ability 
better than you know yourself. They have a far better 
chance to judge the young man in question, not being blinded 
by youth, sentiment or romance. Experience has opened 



^6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

their eyes, and they fain would shield their child, their own 
flesh and blood from the heartaches they see in her path. 

But how frequently we see this privilege taken from 
those who love them best, who would undergo the greatest 
sacrifice for their child's happiness. One of the strongest 
factors in the world to-day to increase the enjoyment of the 
human race and to diminish the quantity of human pain and 
misery is happy marriage. 

Look before you leap. Girls, never marry a stranger or 
one whose character is not known or tested. Some women 
jump right into the fire with both eyes wide open. Beware! 
young women, of a man who utters falsehoods and words 
of deception. His company is no honor, tho' he may pos- 
sess houses and lands and great wealth. The sooner you 
are rid of him the better. 

Sometimes girls choose lazy men, sometimes they fall 
in love with a fast young man who dances gracefully and 
rides horseback well, whose pantaloons are fashionably cut, 
whose shoes are always well polished, whose hair is pom- 
aded and artificially curled, and who perfumes himself to 
distraction; who loafs around and is afraid to work, for 
fear of spoiling his hands or his clothes. Others fall in love 
with the street corner gentry or such as hang around church 
doors on Sunday "to see the girls come out." 

Never on any account marry a gambler, a profane person 
or one who in the least speaks lightly of God or religion. 
Such a man can never make a good husband. 

Girls, cultivate a habit of industry. Idle girls make idle 
women. 

Read and study good books and papers, that 3''0u may 
be able to converse with a fair amount of intelligence on 
any subject. 

Be neat. Be modest. Always be able to speak for your 
own self and there will not be much danger of imposition. 

Never worry and disgust others by asking them too often 
how you look; if this fits all right; if that suits your com- 
plexion. Your own good sense ought to tell you what suits 
your style best, and then people will not be so apt to think 
that you are seeking compliments. Never arrange your 
attire in public; that is, pulling at your belt, pinning or un- 
pining things about your dress, fingering at your collar, or 
moving your hat from side to side. It gives others the 
impression that you are thinking only of what you have on, 
and are either vain of your looks or miserable; and it spoils 
your otherwise good appearance. 

Never talk slang; for it is not decent to do so, and all 
slang is of a vulgar origin, the source of which we would 
be ashamed to hear. 

Never tolerate the company of a young man whom ypu 



ISilver Gems in Seas of Gold ^y 

know mistreats his father and mother; for the way he treats 
his parents is the way his wife will fare. 

Never tell the personal secrets entrusted to you by your 
girl companions to the boys; they will not think you any 
nicer or smarter for it. Never slander the fair name of a 
girl to a man or woman. If you cannot say something good, 
keep silent. 

Always treat old people with respect, and little children 
with kindness. 

Do not make getting married your chief aim in life or 
go around hunting someone to fall in love with; but when 
love conies to you be sure it is love, and not a passionate 
fancy, and accept it and treasure it as a blessing sent from 
God. 

Enjoy girlhood and its pleasures — and be a girl as long 
as you can. I don't mean a giggling girl who talks of noth- 
ing except beaux and fine clothes, but a good, useful, helpful 
girl whom everyone will love. When you do wed, be a 
kind, loving and helpful wife, and your husband will never 
think of you but to bless you. 

Tell the truth in all cases and at all times, and you will 
be trusted, loved and respected by all. 

Above all things, girls, keep your own fair name as you 
would a rare jewel, too precious to be entrusted to the keep- 
ing of others. 

Let me admonish you, young ladies, to be careful. Use 
the most deliberate consideration in your selection of a part- 
ner for life; lest the flowers and sunshine of your now beau- 
tiful life fade into gloom and dismay. 



■* 



DUTIES OF MANKIND. 

I am thinking of the hundreds and thousands of young 
people, from the college, university and seminary, down to 
the grammar school, who have had what they call their 
"Commencement." These hosts with varied equipments, 
have gone out from their schools, either polished or un- 
polished, either fit or unfit to do the work in the world to 
which they are adapted. It is a great output of brains and 
possibilities of high or low ideals. Many of these will go on 
into higher and deeper learning with the thirst of the learner 
and explorer. Many of them will go to higher schools be- 
cause their parents want them to go or because of social 
necessities. Many of them will go into the active profes- 
sions of the church or state or industrial world. Many of 
them will go to work because of limited means at home, 
and family necessities when they ought to go up higher in 



3^ Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

the schools of learning. No matter what may be the status 
or environment or necessity of each case, this may truly 
be said, that what these young women and men, what these 
girls and boys, shall become in the future will depend largely 
on themselves, what is in them, what faith they have in them- 
selves, what hopes they entertain for themselves and their 
ideals of life. If the home and school and college training 
has been of the right kind, this old world ought to be very 
much richer in material to-day than it ever has been in all 
its long history. Every true citizen of our land wishes only 
the best things to come to those who have said good-bye 
to the lecture room and the professor. If the eye of any of 
these graduates should chance to drop here we want to say: 
"Cheer, my boy! Cheer, my Girl! Hope! Faith! Work!" 
In these three words lie many important duties of mankind. 
Life is not worth living without hope. We would be lost 
were it not for faith ; and the world would discontinue were 
it not for work. The chief duty of mankind is to live 
a life that has value in it. That which gives value to life is 
that which all livers should strive to possess. "What is it?" 
you say, and perhaps "money" comes to mind. Nay not so. 
The good of life is not here. Let me point you to where 
the real value of life is found and which is accessible to all. 
It is found in intellectual enjoyment — in thought, in book, in 
thinking about star or flower or animal or man or God. It 
is found in beauty, in loving the beautiful in art and nature, 
in cultivating the sense of beauty, the eye for beauty. It is 
found in domestic affection, in deep lying conviction that 
"there's no place like home" and no persons in the world so 
dear to the heart as loved ones at home. It is found in sym- 
pathy, that feeling with and for another, that good Samaritan 
spirit that goes to the other side of the way to lift up the 
fallen, to pour into the wounds which cruel circumstances 
have laid open, the oil of kindly words, of sympathetic tears 
and helpful service. It is found in friendship, that "part- 
nership of speech and thought in which the distinctive life 
of man consists." It is found in loyalty to one's duty, the 
governing principle of one's whole life — loyalty that will not 
deviate an hair's-breadth tho' outward restraints are removed. 
Are not these the real goods of life? Do not these make life 
worth living? Has not the soul succeeded in whom these 
abide? Where else look for any true riches — if it be not 
along the line herewith indicated. Just look at them long 
enough until you love and possess them: intellectual enjoy- 
ment, domestic affection, beauty, sympathy, friendship, loy- 
alty to duty. Thus, you have the essential duties of man- 
kind. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 39 

PROFANITY. 

Profanity is a brutal vice. He who indulges in it is no 
gentleman, I care not what his stamp may be in society; 
I care not what clothes he wears or of what education he 
boasts. In spite of all his refinement, the light and habitual 
taking of God's name betrays a coarse nature and a brutal 
v/ill. Profaneness is an unmanly and silly vice. It certainly 
is not a grace in conversation, and it adds no strength to it. 
There is no beauty in the narrative that is sprinkled with 
oaths. The profanity that is used to support an opinion 
does not make it any more correct. The use of this shows 
a limited range of ideas and a feeling of being on the wrong 
side. Again, profaneness is a mean vice. It shows the gross- 
est ingratitude. According to general estimation, he who 
abuses his friend and benefactor, is deemed pitiful and 
wretched. And yet, Oh! profane man, whose name is it you 
handle so lightly? It is that of your best benefactor. You 
whose blood would boil to hear the names of your earthly 
parents hurled about in scoffs and jests, abuse, without re- 
gret and without thought, the name of your Heavenly Father. 



DON'T BE DISCOURAGED. 

If a man loses his foothold at the age of thirty or forty, 
and slides down the ladder of success until he hits the bot- 
tom, it would undoubtedly give him somewhat of a jar, but 
it should not prevent him from trying again to reach his 
desired goal. The marshals of Napoleon once came to their 
commander and said: "We have lost the battle and we are 
being cut to pieces." Napoleon took out his watch and said, 
"It is only two o'clock in the afternoon, you have time to 
win. Charge upon the foe." And so it is in the battle of 
life. We may lose the battle early in the day, or in the 
early afternoon, but if we sit down and mourn our defeat 
it is certain we will never win the victory. Every defeat 
should only nerve us to still greater efforts to win. If we 
study the causes of our defeat, we may learn how to avoid 
them in our next effort, and so build up a surer success thru 
the lesson we have learned. What is true in a general sense 
is true in a specific sense. There are general principles which 
apply to undertakings of all kinds. In order to win a success 
in anything, it is first necessary to have some definite object 
in view. One must have a desire to attain a certain object 
before he can attain it. 

The best tonic for discouragement is "try again." Then 
apply plenty of salve called "patience," 



40 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

GENTLE JARS. 

Some folks get all they can, and can all they get. If the 
church house was a passenger train some members would 
be put off at the next station for trying to dead-head their 
way. 

Some church members are like a sponge. They take 
everything in, but give nothing out, unless you squeeze them, 
and that good and hard. 

Lots of professors of religion seem to have the mumps 
and can not speak for God. If they had the measles, they 
might break out and praise the Lord. 

The way some people give an offering in church, the ap- 
propriate song to sing would be, "When We Asunder Part, 
It Gives Us Inward Pain." 

Prejudice is stubborn as a mule, but not half as useful 



TO THE GIRLS. 

When I see young girls trying to attract attention, being 
loud, frequently in public places alone, much on the street, 
immodest, I want to cry out, to warn the wayward feet, 
"Don't dance before Herod and his kind." Don't barter the 
beautiful crown of your pure womanhood to carry the dead 
above you, for I see on your head, not the face of the mar- 
tyred saint, but your own dead soul, your martyred virtue, 
your degradation and disgrace. Others see the ghastly sight, 
too, even tho' you carry a smiling face and your feet dance, 
and the contrast is sickening to the thoughtful eyes. 

So by all that is beautiful in pure womanhood, by all the 
joys that come to the good, by all the promises of God to 
the upright in heart, I beg of you to walk in the straight 
way, and not to *'Dance before Herod." 



BEAUTIFUL HANDS. 

I heard these words from a husband who honors God's 
cause in the ministry. 

"Oh, I love to speak of that hand of mercy that is ex- 
tended to all. There are in my home hands that I dearly love 
and cherish. There is in my home the hand of a baby. How 
well I remember when the little chubby hand first began to 
pat daddy on the cheek. I thank God to-day for the hand 
of baby. I am glad there is a baby in my home. But there 
is another hand in my home. I remember eight years ago 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 41 

when we marched down the church aisle to the gaze of thou- 
sands to seal our lives as one. I remember of how that hand 
was lifted from the beautiful raiment and placed confidently 
in mine. I bless God to day for the hand of my wife. How 
many times has that hand smoothed my brow in sickness, 
and how often it has penned me words of encouragement 
when I was absent from home and loved ones. But there 
is in my home another hand. It is broken at the wrist. It 
is furrowed with the weight of eighty years. The veins 
stand high and blue. And yet to me that hand is very beauti- 
ful. It is that of my mother. It is the hand that guided 
me to manhood — the hand that protected me and adminis- 
tered to my wants when I was helpless. But dear as are 
the hands of baby, wife and mother, to me there is another 
still more dear. It is the hand that bears the nail prints — 
the hand of Jesus Christ, our Savior." 



BLOSSOMS IN THE NIGHT. 

Some flowers bloom only as darkness comes on. This is 
true both of nature and of man. There are evening prim- 
roses and four o'clocks and the night-blooming cereus, 
which wait for darkness before they show their beauty or 
yield their perfume. And often there is courage, and trust, and 
patience, and perseverance, which cannot come to man 
save as the night of danger or fear, or trial, or labor is at 
hand. Cheerfulness, and vigor, and helpfulness, and many 
other graces, are bright flowers of the soul's day; but it is 
good to feel that God has also set out to grow these others, 
with their own peculiar beauty, which open only at the ap- 
proach of a human souPs night. And in the garden of man- 
kind, it is the night blossoms that are most beautiful of all. 



^ 



THE SALOON. 

The saloon is the vestibule of hell. It matters not whether 
it furnishes the rot-gut stuff that would make a rabbit spit 
fire at a bulldog or the best peach brandy that fruit can make, 
it's intoxicating, and intoxication is the first step to crime, 
murder and theft. 

Did you ever see whiskey or brandy that wouldn't intoxi- 
cate? Did you ever see a moral saloon? Can hell be moral? 
Did a saloon ever inspire a man to nobler deeds? Did it ever 



42 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

create any sparks of love in his bosom whicli lighted the 
lamp of charity or the flame of religious sentiment? 

Is there any argument on God's earth in favor of the open 
saloon? If so, where is the argument? The saloon is the 
deadly foe to the church of God. It is a foe to the home, 
school and state. It is a foe to virtue and law enforcement 
and is the open gate to hell. "No drunkard shall enter the 
kingdom of heaven." I am glad of it. I don't want to asso- 
ciate with a man who is mad of poison drink, and heaven 
would soon become hell if they were permitted to enter the 
golden gate. Multiplied thousands of good but helpless wives 
and children are living in a literal hell under a drunkard's 
roof. Home to them is full of danger. Home to them has 
lost its happiness. "Home, sweet home." No! No! It's 
"Hell, cruel hell." When will the American people wake 
up? When will true manhood drive this cursed rum into 
the belly of hell, where it belongs? Saloons must go when 
enough true manhood says "go." The saloons are here by 
our own invitation and likewise must "go" by our own invi- 
tation. The power lies in the hands and hearts of the 
people. 



ir^-^ 



HEROES. 

All the world admires a hero, but it is only those who are 
in the limelight of public attention that secure the praise and 
reward due them. In the homes, in the cities and towns and 
on the farms are thousands of heroes, men and women and 
especially women, with as brave hearts and dauntless cour- 
age as ever drew a sword on battlefield, or performed some 
other great deed under the public eye. 

The man who dares for applause and braves danger to 
gain public admiration is only a hero of selfishness. 

History gave us many heroes who rightly won the laurels 
of honor by patriotic love and bravery. Others have stolen 
the wreath of fame and the world has applauded. 

But the greatest hero, save Christ, is love's hero. And 
heroines are as numerous. 

There are lovers who would face the dangers of storm, 
brave the billows of angry seas and crush every foe beneath 
love's holy banner. Love makes true heroes and heroines. 
But the little mother who hovers over the bed of her sick 
child or husband, who fights the wolf at the door in the 
midst of poverty, and at the same time has a sweet trust in 
the Pivine truth that "All things work together for good 
to th«m that love God," is the greatest heroine on land or 



'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold. 43 

sea. She fights not for the world's applause and her name 
is never known in history. 

She seeks not her reward in this world. Her heart is 
full of love for her dear one, and she is "sustained and 
soothed by an unfaltering trust" in Him who said: "Come 
unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give 
you rest." 

This is the heroism that counts. It is the heroism that 
will stand every test. It is good every day in the week. 
There are no strings to it. It is measured solely by love 
for others, and the desire to do right for right's sake. It 
is the heroism of the cross, the unselfishiness of the Man 
of Sorrows, It is the heroism that is heedless of the world, 
but has its eyes turned heavenward. A soothing word given 
from such heroism to cheer the weary sufferer, or the sooth- 
ing stroke of the hand, is worth more in heaven's scales of 
justice than all the battles Napoleon ever won. 



HOME. PEACE AND WAR. 

I have heard it said that "This country would never be 
wholly Christianized until we can elect a minister of the 
gospel president," 

Let me say that we do not most need the preacher in 
the president's chair, but we need truer and better men and 
women in the home. If you want to best preserve the bless- 
ings of freedom, if you want to see our country march for- 
ward to a glorious, happy and prosperous future, if you want 
Christianity to reign supremely under the folds of a free flag, 
you will have to first start in the American home. 

Go over this land of ours, thru the halls of fame, and you 
may trace the character of our great men back to the fire- 
side, where their first noble thought was born and where 
their first noble deed was done, I am a believer in the 
sacredness of home, and so long as religion, love and virtue 
abide within its walls, our country has a glorious future, and 
not unmingled with the sparkle of hope, liberty and free- 
dom. 

I believe that if those who advocate bloody war would 
think rightly of the American home, every nation would be 
at peace with the world. Among the many blessings which 
cluster around us, of all the words of meaning and glad-tid« 
ing, it is that beautiful and matchless word called peace — 
peace of country, peace of conscience, peace of home and 
peace of God! 

Some day, like the fall of the mighty oak in the forest, 
the spirit of war will fall to the earth to rise no more. Peace 



44 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

in the robe of Christianitj'' will wing its way from heaven 
to the four winds of the earth and fathers and sons will 
march no more to battle. When I see a soldier boy in his 
gay uniform, I not only think of the offering of a young life 
to his country, but I think of a mother who imperils her life 
for her country every time a soldier is born. Day and night 
she does picket duty by his cradle. Every time the enemy 
fires a bullet into a soldier's head the bullet goes on and on 
until it pierces the heart of a mother; not then does it stop, 
but often you will find it lodged in the wifely bosom or a 
sister's heart. I am opposed to any kind of war that places 
the loving heart of a mother upon the altar of sacrifice to 
be pierced as a target. We have enough broken-hearted 
mothers and sad-eyed fathers in America without increasing 
the list with bloody battle. 

War is unwise. Arbitration alone is just. God is the 
author of peace, but is not the author or friend of war. 

When God wants the weary beasts of the forest and fowls 
of the air to stop their daily ramble, to sleep and rest, He 
draws the curtain of twilight over the sun and a gentle gloom 
settles over the universe and they fall asleep as gently as 
the darkness came. But when he wants to awaken them 
from their nightly slumber he doesn't try to arouse them 
with a war club, but draws down the nightly curtain in the 
gray dawn of a new day, and the gentle sun bears a message 
of gold from the East, bidding all to arise and work while it 
is day. 



-4f- 



FOLLOWED BY HIS MOTHER'S LOVE. 

The love of the mother-heart can not be crushed out. The 
boy may develop into a criminal and depart far from the path 
of righteousness, but he can depend upon his mother's love. 

Down in Texas, several years ago, a middle-aged man 
was convicted of horse-stealing in a regular court and sent 
to the penitentiary for a long term. He was duly sentenced 
and the sheriff set a day upon which he should be 
taken to the state prison. The day arrived, and the official, 
with a string of convicts handcuffed together, was at the 
^station waiting for the train. 

While the group sat in the depot, a little old woman in 
black, with a face in which the fingers of sorrow had pinched 
great furrows, appeared at the door. She looked at the string 
of prisoners intently, then a light of recognition came into 
her face. She stepped over to the group of unfortunates and 
laid her hand upon the arm of a big, coarse fellow with a 
heavy, red mustache. The man turned and looked at the 
little woman. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 45 

"Mother!" he exclaimed. That was all. Big tears came 
into his eyes. They did not stay there, but crowded one 
another out to chase down the rough face, red now with 
shame. They ran into the big mustache and off the ends of 
it. Then he recovered himself. The little woman was not 
crying — people sometimes get beyond that. 

"What — are — you — doing — here?" the big man sobbed. 

"I came, my son," said the little woman with furrows in 
her face, "to see you off." 

"To — see me off?" The man was dazed. 

"Yes, Henry. When you were such a little boy that you 
had never been out of the home yard alone, I went to the 
gate with you the first day you ever went to the store by 
yourself. I watched you three blocks of the distance until 
your chubby feet carried you into the little country store 
that your father kept. Then when you were six and started 
for school, 1 went to the gate with you again, and told you 
how to act in the school-room. You went away on a visit 
when you were ten, and I went to the depot with you and 
your uncle, then. And I kissed you good-bye before the 
cars started." 

The tears were still flowing from that big man's eyes! 

"Yes," and the little woman sighed a bit, "then you got 
to be sixteen and wanted to go on to St. Louis. It was hard 
to part with you, but we did it — your father and I — and I 
went to the little depot with you and kissed you. You re- 
member, don't you?" 

The other prisoners were interested now, and the sheriff 
himself was taking in every word, 

"Then you were married, Henry. I went to see you bound 
by law and God to that sweet, dear Mary who is now — " 

"Don't — don't — don't!" almost shrieked the big man. 

"Yes," the little woman went on unheedingly, "and now 
you are going away again, and I must kiss you. The train 
is coming, Henry, kiss your old mother." 

The sheriff had not moved. Ordinarily he would have 
told the man to hurry on. But he waited now. The big 
man bowed and tried to hide his hand-cuffs. 

"Kiss me, Henry," the old lady repeated. The head 
moved lower, and the big red mustache almost covered the 
little face with the furrows in it. Then the gang started to 
the train. 

As the cars began to move, the little woman stood on 
the platform. She caught a glimpse of her big son thru the 
car window. She waved a little black-bordered handkerchief 
at him, 

"Good-bye, Henry," she called out feebly, and then, thru 
force of habit formed when she sent her little son to school, 
she murmured: 

"Be — be a good boy." 



46 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

SOME DON'TS. 

Don't try to climb a hill before you reach it. 

Don't do anything to cause another unnecessary pain. 

Don't wear a long face, and do refrain from gloomy words 
and sad conversation. Look for the bright side of every 
dark situation. 

Don't be rude and unkind in your manners. Gentle man- 
ners is the mark of a gentleman. 

Don't forget a known duty. Each duty faithfully per- 
formed in its turn are the steps leading up the ladder of 
solid character-building and a character thus built is as solid 
as the eternal hills and as bright as the noonday sun. It 
possesses the beauty and fragrance of the rose and the dura- 
bility of the immutable laws of God by the faithful obedience 
of whose laws it may credit its building. Character is weak 
or strong in proportion to our faithfulness to duty. After 
all, character is the test of the man, and he who builds well 
his character will have no fear of the final or ultimate results 
of his life. 

Don't try to run the world. It is too big a job for any 
one man. Just do your part, and do it well. 

Don't expect to get along without making mistakes, but 
don't make the same mistake the second time. 

Don't do anything for spite. Spite work always kindles 
the fire that consumes the character of the kindler. 

Don't seek revenge. Revenge is not sweet. To seek re- 
venge is to add additional injury to yourself. Don't seek a 
place of ease, but a place to work. Blessings flow only thru 
duty well performed. The harder the task the greater the 
reward. A man seeking a feather bed job certainly is not 
expecting a very rich reward. 

Don't wait for something to turn up, but go to work. 

Don't forget your friends. Friends are your most valu- 
able assets. 

Don't waste your time, but use wisely every moment, and 
you will be repaid in wealth beyond your most sanguine 
dreams. 

Don't be little and narrow, but don't allow your idea of 
broadness to lead you to treat lightly moral duty. A truly 
broad-minded man is a man who is unselfish and who de- 
lights in doing good to others. 

Don't endeavor to do as little as you can for your em- 
ployer, but do all you can, and do it the very best you can. 

Don't seek pleasure and happiness, but rather seek to 
know and do your duty for duty's sake; then pleasure will 
come as a natural result. 

Don't study about dying — your duty is to live. Death will 
take care of itself, and come at its own invitation. Plan as 
if you expected to live always. He who plans to live always 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 47 

will not be disappointed. That which we call death is not 
death. It is only a change, a promotion to a broader and 
greater sphere. 

Don't neglect the cultivation of your mind. Remember 
you can never amount to much unless you develop your 
mind. Exercise your mental faculties every day. Endeavor 
to store away in your mind some useful thought every day. 
Try to make each day's thoughts go deeper and higher and 
broader than the thoughts of all preceding days. Don't fail 
to do some good act every day. Seek to be a servant of 
others and not to be served. The greatest of all men de- 
clared that He came not to be served, but to serve. 

If you want to get on in the world don't fail to go along. 
You certainly will never get anywhere unless you GO. 

Don't undertake to look after other people's business. You 
will have all you can do to attend to your own business. 
Don't fail to cultivate gratitude. To have a grateful and 
appreciative heart is to be a ray of sunshine, joy and en- 
couragement to all persons you meet. As the scent is the 
fragrance of the rose, gratitude is the sweet fragrance oi 
our lives. 



^ 



FATHER IN THE HOME. 

Many things have been spoken and written — yet not one 
syllable too many — about the happy and holy influence of a 
good mother, but there yet remains a solid philosophy in the 
old adage, "Like father, like son." 

You no more surely cast a shadow upon the ground or 
a bright, beautiful day than you, as father, impress youi 
moral shadow upon your home and your household. The 
father is the head of the house for good or evil. He ordains 
the law, he fixes the precedents, he helps very largely tc 
create the home atmosphere, and the "order of the home" 
remains in the habits of the children, tho' they migrate to 
the ends of the earth. 

"His father was a Catholic," or "His father was a Protes- 
tant," as a rule, determines the religious belief and position 
of half of the p«ople of the country. "His father was a 
Republican," or "His father was a Democrat," is the only 
reason given for a large number of ballots cast at any state 
or national election. 

"He is a chip off the old block" is a very apt statement, in 
comrnon use to-day, in giving identity of child to parent. 
But if the "old block" is bad in its appearance, gnarly, 
cross-grained, and partially decayed, what about the chips? 

In nature, the life of leaf and flower is merged into that 



48 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

of other leaves, and flowers, and fruits that follow after. So 
it is also with human life. Here is a father, toiling, planning, 
sacrificing for his children. He never thinks of himself. 
In youth he was strong, fresh, vigorous. As the years creep 
upon him, the fire goes out from his eye; the iron from his 
blood; the elasticity from his step; his form is less erect, 
bent with the burden of years. His life force and power 
have been given freely to his children. But the father's in- 
fluence is far more far-reaching. He is making impressions 
every day for good or ill on the sensitive soul-plate of his 
every child. Every father should remember that his influ- 
ence will have measure, not in the profession he makes, the 
long prayers he utters, and the sermonic lectures he delivers 
to his children — but in the life he lives. 

When a man becomes a father, there can be, on his part, 
no evasion of responsibility. He cannot say, "I decline to 
act." The most important office in the world is that of 
parenthood. In the development of society and of nations, 
the father was the first magistrate and ruler. 

You know how children learn most readily, not from 
precept, but from example. You well remember how they 
watched your every move; how they stood by your knee or 
sat in your lap, intently interested in all you said or did. 
You have watched their eyes grow big with wonder as you 
related some incident in your day's experience. You were a 
king in their eyes. Your station in life might have been 
humble, your home not entirely free from want, and your 
heart and life far from satisfactory to yourself, yet, to those 
childish minds, you were nobility itself. Hence how grave 
your responsibility. If our children can see every day in 
their home a man fixed in kindness, thoughtfulness, cheerful- 
ness, hopefulness, helpfulness; a man who speaks the truth 
and can deny himself and trust God; a man who thinks more 
of high character than he does of cattle, bonds, stocks, style, 
and fast living, they will have good thoughts enough for 
themselves, about such a man, and of the beauty of such a 
life, as are necessary to inspire them to noble living. Chil- 
dren are keen observers — especially of their parents. This 
truth is evidenced by the reply a little boy gave his Sunday 
school teacher, who asked him if his father were a Christian. 
Without the least hesitation, he replied: *'Yes, ma'am; but he 
does not work at it very much." 

We cannot hide our graces, much less our faults, from 
our children's eyes. They love us, hence they will give us 
credit for a thousandfold more goodness than we ever pos- 
sess. What will prove most effective in winning our chil- 
dren to the true way of life is sincere, earnest, constant, un- 
selfish love — the same love so beautifully revealed in the 
parable of the prodigal. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 49 

MOTHER AND HOME. 

"Mother" is the sweetest word ever spoken by mortal 
man. 

What word strikes so forcibly upon the heart as "mother?" 
Coming from childhood's sunny lips, it has a peculiar charm ; 
for it speaks of one to whom they look and trust for com- 
fort. A mother is the truest friend we have; when trials 
heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the 
place of prosperity; when friends, who rejoice with us in 
our sunshine, desert us; when troubles thicken around us, 
still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts 
and counsel to dissipate the clouds of sorrow and cause peace 
to return to our hearts. 

The kind voice of a mother has often been the means of 
reclaiming an erring one from the path of wickedness to a life 
of happiness and prosperity. 

The lonely convict, immuned in his dreary cell, thinks of 
the innocent days of his childhood, and feels that while other 
friends forsake him, he has still a guardian angel watching 
over him; and that, however dark his sins may have been 
they have all been forgiven and forgotten by her. 

Mother is indeed a sweet name, and her station is indeed 
a noble one; for in her hands are placed minds to be moulded 
almost at her will; minds to be channelled to a lofty aim in 
life and to fit them for the beauteous splendor which awaits 
them in heaven. 

In a few short years you will stand by the grave of that 
one who loves you best. Then precious remembrances will 
fill your mind, and the sweet hope of meeting in that better 
land will cheer your sad heart. Your hands may be full 
of labor, your heart burdened with care and the responsi- 
bilities of life, but a mother's grave with all the hallowed 
associations clustering around, can never be forgotten. The 
grave of a mother is indeed a sacred spot. It is retired from 
the noise of business, and unnoticed by the stranger, but to 
our hearts how dear ! The love we bear to a mother is not 
measured by years, annihilated by distance, nor forgotten 
when she sleeps in dust. Marks of ages may appear in our 
homes and on our persons, but the memory of a mother is 
more enduring than time itself. 

Who has stood by the grave of a mother and not remem- 
bered her pleasant smiles, kind words, earnest prayers and 
assurance expressed in her dying hour? Many years may 
have passed, memory may be treacherous in other things, 
but will produce with all its freshness the impression once 
made by a mother's love. 

A mother's lap is childhood's softest velvet, her cheek is 
its brightest rose and her voice its most charming music. 
i\Iother is the queen of home — ^the scene of earth's dearest ties. 



50 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Thoughts of mother bring thoughts of home, for without 
mother, home is a sad abode. Home is the vestibule of 
heaven, home is childhood's heaven and the sacred memories 
of manhood. Let the artist paint with masterly pen, but he 
cannot paint to my satisfaction the old walls of my childhood 
home. Let him paint forms beautiful and faces fair, but he 
cannot paint my mother's face. "Music hath power to soothe 
the savage breast," but no music is sweeter than my moth- 
er's voice. Home is the paradise of love. 

Home, oh, how sweet is that word! What beautiful and 
tender associations cluster thick around it; compared with it, 
house, mansion, palace are cold, heartless terms. But home! 
that word quickens the pulse, warms the heart, stirs the 
soul to its depths, makes age feel young again, rouses apathy 
into energy, sustains the sailor in his midnight watch, in- 
spires the soldier with courage on the field of battle, and 
imparts patient endurance to the worn-down sons of toil. 

The thought of it has proved a seven-fold shield to virtue, 
the very name of it has a spell to call back the wanderer from 
the paths of vice ; and far away, where myrtles and palm trees 
wave, and the ocean sleeps upon coral strands, to the exile's fond 
fancy it clothes the naked rock, or stormy shore, or barren moor, 
or wild highland mountain with charms he weeps to think of, 
and longs once more to see. 

Home! What a hallowed name! How full of enchant- 
ment and how dear to the heart ! Home is the magic circle 
within which the weary spirit finds refuge; it is the sacred 
asylum to which care-worn hearts retreat to find rest from 
the toils and cares of life. Home! That name touches every 
fibre of our soul. Nothing but death can break its spell. 

Blessed that home in which the newly-married couple 
dedicate their souls to Christ. Blessed the family Bible in 
which their names have just been written. Blessed the hour 
of morning and evening prayer. Blessed the angls of God 
who join wing-tip to wing-tip over that home, making a canopy 
of light and love and blessedness. It may be only yesterday 
that they clasped hands, but they have clasped hands forever. 
The orange blossoms may fade, and the fragrance may die on 
the air ; but they who marry in Christ shall walk together on 
that day when the Church, the Lamb's wife, shall take the 
hand of her Lord and King amid the swinging of the golden 
censers. 

Heaven has imprinted in the mother's face something be- 
yond this world, something which claims kindred with the 
skies — the angelic smile, the tender look, the waking, watch- 
ful eye, which keeps its fond vigil over the slumbering babe. 

What more beautiful sight is there in the world? And 
what more lovely? That man must be far from the Kingdom 
of God — he is not worthy to be called a man at all — whose 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 51 

heart has not been touched by the sight of his first child on 
its mother's bosom. 

The greatest writers who have ever lived have tried to 
paint the beauty of that simple thing — a mother with her 
babe — and have failed. 

Besides model schools, let us have homes crowned with 
the clambering vine, amid the cooling shade of trees, sur- 
rounded with the verdant lawn, with pendant berries, with 
golden fruits, and clusters of crimson grapes. Homes graced 
with pictures, refmed by books, and gladdened with song. 
Homes in which there shall be no scorching blast of passion, 
nor polar storms of coldness and hate. Homes in which the 
wife and mother shall not lose all her attractive charms by 
unremitting drudgery and toil; nor the husband and father 
starve his brain and dwarf his soul by hours of overwork. 
Homes in which happy children shall ever see the beauty of 
love, and the beauty of holiness. Homes of plenty, homes 
of sympathy, homes of self-sacrifice, homes of devotion, 
homes of culture, homes of love. Angels from the fruits and 
flowers, and streams and fellowships of the home in the upper 
Paradise would be lured to dwell in these earthly Edens. 

Whatever may be said of a mother's mission on earth and 
of her powers, social and otherwise, it is in the home that 
she exerts the greatest influence, moulding the character of 
her children and giving the impress of her own life upon every 
member of the household. That there are other spheres in 
which she may take part is not questioned. But it is in the 
home that she displays her powers to best advantage. 

There are very few children indeed that ever get over their 
early training. How many people go through life with their 
characters all bent and warped for the want of proper early 
training? Being gentle and tender in her nature, woman 
comes in close contact with children, wielding an influence 
that no one else possibly could. Had it not been for the 
wise counsel and training of a consecrated Christian mother, 
this country might never have had a character so noble as 
that of George Washington. Of how many mothers might 
it be said as a great man once said of his mother: "All that 
I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother." 

Every woman has it in her power to make the environ- 
ment of her home uplifting and ennobling. Let every 
mother make her home attractive. She can adorn the walls 
of her home with pictures, inexpensive ones if necessary. 
A new tidy may be made for a chair occasionally, table 
covers renewed, beautiful flowers kept in view, and in other 
ways the rooms may be brightened and made cheerful. xA-ll 
these surely give touch and shape to the child's mind as that 
the sunshine paints the hues of the flowers. A child who 
goes out into the world from such a home, a home presided 



52 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

over by a mother who has striven to make it pleasant and 
attractive, who has striven to keep high and noble ideals be- 
fore her children, one leaving such a home carries in his 
memory a heritage that cannot be compared to the riches of 
this world. 

She was just an ordinary woman, without much time for 
culture. Perhaps she was deprived of education to a great 
extent in her maidenhood days. She bore no distinction of 
fame throughout the civilzed world, but she brought up three 
or four children, to tell the truth, to love God, to love their 
brothers, and to do honest labor with their hands, and not 
be ashamed of it. When she died the papers didn't notice it, 
but the Recording Angel said, as he took up a fresh pen 
and turned over to a clean page: 

"A queen is coming; get her throne ready." 
O! mothers! you are the purest and dearest things on 
earth. You make the home what it is. You make the great 
men what they are. I say honor! to be the mothers; for the 
angels will surely give them the golden crown. 



PROMISE OF GOD. 

When a man goes forth in a calm and serene evening, and 
views the face of the heavens, he shall first see a star or two 
twinkle and peep forth ; but if he continues, both their number 
and lustre are increased, and at last he sees the whole heaven is 
bespangled with stars in every part. So when thou dost medi- 
tate upon the promise of the Gospel; at first it may be one star 
beginning to appear, a little light conveys itself to thy heart; 
but go forward, and then thou wilt find when thy thoughts are 
amplified and ripened, there will be a clear light, more satisfac- 
tion conveyed to thy soul ; and in continuance, the covenant of 
grace will appear bespangled with promises, as heaven with stars, 
and all to give thee satisfaction. 



THE DIVINE FULNESS. 

Go among the mountains, and you will see that it is the living 
spring that flows away. And where it flows the grass is green, 
and the flowers bloom, and the cattle drink, and the children 
linger to dip the foot, and hear the sweet song of the rill. Yet 
the spring itself is in no way exhausted by all this. Exhausted? 
It never will be. It i.<^ fed by the drawing sun, by the condensing 
mountains, by the bountiful clouds, by the great and wide sea. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 53 

Not till the sea is empty, and the heavens are dry, the little 
fountains of the earth will yield no more. Flow on ye streams ! 
Go murmuring into rills of laughter, and rolling into rivers of 
song, and never be afraid or give one backward look. You have 
the sun above you, and the hills around you, and the great oceans 
of the earth behind you, all holding themselves bound, and ready, 
to serve you, if you continue to serve others by your flow. 
Christians, let your inner life, your love, flow out like the 
streams. Flow on ! not noisy, but natural, continuous outflow 
and expression. So, light will come to you from the land of 
lights. So, you will draw from the infinite ocean of Divine 
love. 



ALPHABET OF SUCCESS. 

A. — Attend carefully to details and mind your own business. 

B. — Be prompt in all things, for promptitude means several 
rounds on the ladder of success. 

C. — Consider well ; look at both sides of a proposition, then 
decide positively. Control your temper. 

D. — Dare to do right; fear to do wrong; then stand your ground. 

E. — Endure trials patiently, for they come to every one. 

F. — Fight life's battles bravely; 

G. — Get up and hustle. 

H. — Hold integrity sacred. 

I. — Insist for justice. Injure not another's good reputation. 

J. — Join hands with only the virtuous. 

K. — Keep your mind free from evil thoughts. 

L, — Live for humanity's good. 

M. — Make friends by being a friend. 

N. — Never try to appear what you are not. Let people find 
out your ability by your works. 

O, — Observe good manners, 

P. — Pay your debts promptly. Never ask credit until you know 
you can pay when due ; not then, unless compelled to do so. 

Q. — Question not the veracity of a friend. Make no false accu- 
sations. 

R. — Respect the counsel of your parents. Respect old age. Re- 
spect the feminine sex. 

S. — Sacrifice money rather than principle. 

T. — Touch not, taste not, handle not, intoxicating drinks; and 
don't place much confidence in anyone that does. 

U. — Use your leisure for improvement. 

V. — Venture not upon the threshold of wrong. 

W. — Watch carefully over your passions. 

X. — X-ray your heart and rid it of uncleanliness. 



54 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Y. — Yield not to discouragement. The more discouraging a 

task seems, stick the closer to it. Never give up as long 

as there is a possibility to win the victory. 
Z. — Zealously labor for the right. Push forward, and never 

backward, in ascending the mountain of life, and the road to 

success is yours. 



■^- 



BEAUTY OF A HUMAN FACE. 

I admire persons who love nature. Nature greets us from 
every star, from every dew-kissed rose, from every landscape 
and mountain, from every growing field and blooming forest, 
and from every cloud that sails like a winged ship on the deep 
blue sea. But what sweeter charm hath nature than that of a 
human face? 

The face which is aglow with intelligence and moral loveli- 
ness is the noblest picture of nature from the painting of God. 

Oh ! then may our faces be free from frowns and cheerful, 
with a smiling countenance. 



-Jf- 



POLITENESS. 

Politeness is the key to self-respect and the admiration 
of all whom we meet. Anyone, no matter how poor, can be 
polite, and it is such a true sign of a lady or gentleman, it 
looks like more would strive to acquire the habit of true 
politeness. The truly polite never make a difference in their 
manners to persons on account of their dress. To show rude- 
ness to the poorly clad shows a shallow brain. I was made 
to feel very much embarrassed by v/ell dressed young people 
one evening. It was during a meeting, and a few had col- 
lected in the church. I noticed three or four pretty girls and 
a handsome young man sitting on the front seat. After a 
while an old lady, plainly dressed, and who wore a sunbonnet, 
came up and took one of the front seats, while her daughter 
sat behind the young folks. I saw them look at the woman 
and laugh and talk, and after a while I saw the young man 
look at her and laugh aloud. I looked at the poor, drooped 
head and saw the sunbonnet pulled farther over her face. 
I thought of the wound in that heart under the plain waist. 
I saw her little girl go and whisper something to her, and she 
got up and moved back in the corner. 

I never talk much in church, even before service, but I 
got up and went to that dear old soul. She never looked 
up until I held out my hand and called her — and oh! the 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 55 

bright imile that came over her face filled my heart with 
joy. I sat down by her and talked to her for a while. 

Where people are not polite to the poor and destitute 
they have no true politeness. Sham politeness often shows 
people off to a bad advantage. Many good people act very 
impolitely without knowledge of it. We see a couple passing 
our front gate. When they get just in front they burst into 
a loud laugh. 

Try to acquire a habit of being polite to everybody, to 
the poor and aged and all with whom you come in contact. 

It costs nothing to be polite, and will help you out in 
many respects in life. It gains you love and confidence. 

What is there that will gain friends faster than politeness 
and kindness? We should especially be kind to the older 
people. We should not be kind and polite to our best friends 
only, but to everyone who is around us. 

If you are able but unwilling to do a good thing to-day, 
to-morrow you may be willing but unable to do it; for ability 
is lost in measure as it is abused. In the Savior's parable 
he who buried his talent lost it. 



AN AUTUMN WALK. 

An autumn walk resembles a beautiful dream. 

Nature has dressed the trees in crimson robes. 

The leaves are adorned with their winter gowns and soon 
will fall asleep upon the earth's cold bosom. 

The cornfields are rustling their harvest song, and cotton- 
fields are a vast sea of white. 

It is just the season to take long and solitary walks thru 
the fields and forest. Peace and calmness brood over all. 
Nothing disturbs the repose in which nature has relapsed 
after her season's labor. All is quiet save a stray gust of 
wind, which sends the golden carpet of the wood in eddying 
gusts, the chatter of the squirrels, the dropping of the nuts 
or the rustle of the leaves under our feet. We wander on, 
entranced by each lovely view that opens before US, until 
we are lost in the contemplation of nature. 

In the solitary moments when we are quite alone in close 
communion with ourselves and surrounded by the still and 
sublime beauties of nature in contemplation of the past and 
perhaps strong with remorse at our lost opportunities (which 
can never be regained, and but ill amended) we see life 
anew in the light of experience. 

The autumn wind plays with the fluttering leaves and 
sounds a "farewell refrain" to the waving trees. 



^6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

The music of the breeze mingles with the song of the 
brook— and withered flowers bow their heads amid the en- 
chanting sound. 

The rose bush stands flowerless— and the hillside has changed 
its coat of green to robes of brown and gray. 

The meadow is a yellow lake of goldenrod— where doves 
coo a lonely song. . 

But still, as one gazes on these beautiful scenes there is 
a mixture of sadness that underlies the beauty, and our 
thoughts take a melancholy train. 

The signals of the falling leaves only remind us of the 
cold season to follow, when the earth shall blossom with 
frost and the faded flowers and brown leaves will be crowned 
by the chilling snow. • • t> 

Autumn, thou art adorned with all thy beauties! J^ut 
winter with a shroud of white, awaits to bury thee. 



■^ 



NOBLE SOULS. 



There are brave, sympathetic souls who go thru life scat- 
tering sunshine and fragrance to whom the present is the 
time for action. Conscious of their own purity, integrity 
each soul they meet is but another child of God, having need 
of what they can give. They give themselves as the gift. 
Out of a heart overflowing with kindly impulse, throbbing 
with the consciousness of the brotherhood of man, these 
souls obey the impulse of the divine in themselves, and the 
wedding feast is gayer, happier, because they are there. Their 
presence cools life's fever of ambition, haste and greed. Ip 
their presence the tongue of slander, misrepresentation, is 
silent because they speak an unknown language. The grave 
is but the body's receptacle ; so clearly do they see above it, 
while the strangers who meet them in life's journeying feel 
their hearts burn within them with new love, new sympa- 
thies new experiences. Never to them is the neglected mo- 
ment never for them is the neglected opportunity. What 
men think of them is never their standard of action, but ever 
present before them is the measure of God's trust by the 
blessing and opportunities life gives them. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF FEELING IN PREACHING. 

The preacher who feels what he says, and then says what 
he feels with feeling, is sure to make his hearers feel about 
as he feels. One of the great weaknesses of much of the 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 57 

preaching to-day is in the fact that it is all logic and litera- 
ture, and no soul-touching feeling. You can't melt ice with 
a cold poker, but heat the poker red hot, then apply it to the 
ice and see how it will sizzle. In morals and religion men's 
hearts are by nature like ice — cold and unemotional — and 
the only way to melt them into tenderness and feeling is to 
go at them with hearts all on fire with the love of the Lord 
Jesus. Young preacher, try it. 



GOOD DEEDS FROM PURE THOUGHT. 

Deeds are the thistles or the flowers of thought. The 
thistle that pierces the heart with revenge is but the growth 
and harvest of evil thought. 

Likewise the flower of praise given to some discouraged 
soul, which sweetens the air about us, is but the beautiful 
growth and harvest of thought. 

Man has never done an evil but tiiat an evil thought 
prompted the deed. Evil thought is the author of envy, 
jealousy, prejudice a*nd hatred. 

If you want to make your deeds noble, high and holy, 
you must first make your thoughts such. If you want to be 
cheerful, optimistic and sunny, make your thoughts such. 

Deeds are measured by the standard of thoughts. 

Then let us think beautiful thoughts. Let us make them 
noble and inspiring, remembering that we cannot reap the 
harvest of a beautiful character if we have sown seeds of 
selfishness, of malice, of hatred, of anything ignoble or un- 
worthy the name of Christian. 

If our daily thoughts are pure and true, our actions will 
reflect these thoughts, and the foundation of our character 
will be laid, to be built upon step by step, as we grow in 
spirit and grasp the meaning of some of the world's prob- 
lems. Suppose we imagine that each good and kindly deed 
of ours is just one block in the pedestal that we are rais- 
ing for our characters to rest upon some day. If we are 
thoughtful and careful of the little deeds, and continually 
sweet spirited, how lofty shall our characters stand. 

If your life is sad and lonely, 

Think of beauty only; 
Then your life will see a change 

From sadness to a brighter range. 



58 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

LOSE TO FIND. 

Some one has given a beautiful illustration, to wit: 

I was a child, and in my hand I held a single bulb. It 
appeared to be a dry and lifeless thing, but I had been told 
that in the heart of the bulb was the fair form of a lily, the 
possibility of a glorious flower. As I held it, wondering what 
I had best do with it, I looked up and beheld the face of the 
Gardener. 

"Let me have your bulb, that I may hide it away in the 
ground," he said. 

"Nay," said I, "for in this bulb is a lily, and the lily being 
a queen must not be cradled in the lowly turf." 

"But," said the Gardener, "lilies do not bloom except in 
the ground; it takes the ground to thrust forth the blossom." 

"Not so," said I, "the ground is barren and cold, the 
snows have but lately left it; moreover it is black and 
clammy, filled with noxious roots and belittered with trash. 
You would have me lose my precious bulb!" 

Then the Gardener drew near, and looking me earnestly 
in the face said, "If you would save it you shall lose it, but 
if you will lose it you shall save it." 

Then I remembered the saying: "Unless a corn of wheat 
fall to the ground and die it abideth alone;" and I gave the 
bulb into the hand of the Gardener, and he hid it in the earth 
and I never saw the bulb again. 

Soon the song of the thrush was heard and the sighing of 
soft breezes; April showers descended, and ardent May suns 
kissed the waking earth. 

Then I heard the voice of the Gardener calling me forth 
to see that which I had lost. 

Behold ! a stately lily lifting its magnificent chalice above 
the cold and barren earth ! I had saved the bulb by losing 
it. There was need of the earth to unfold the lily that was in 
the heart of the bulb. 

"For whosoever would save his life shall lose it, and whoso- 
ever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it." 



A POET'S WALK. 

One summer evening when the western skies were 
painted in gold, I started from a pretty village to view the 
sunset in all its splendor. My idea was to go to some hill- 
top, from where I could see over evergreens and mossy val- 
leys, where no obstruction could dim my vision. The path 
thru which I wandered was adorned with nature's wreath. 
On each side the vines would bow to the breeze and the 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 59 

breeze would play thru the branches. The birds were be- 
ginning to chirp their evening prayer and sing their evening 
song. The owl had awakened from his daily sleep and the 
whippoorwill was leading the band of evening voices. Every 
step drew me nearer the hilltop of beauty where nature's ar- 
tist painted the pale clouds with golden sunset. On one side 
of the narrow path were lilies of white, on the other were 
violets of blue. Often did I see them reach over the tiny 
path, locked hand in hand, where flower kissed flower. As I 
ascended that flowery path the evening dewdrop fell upon 
their bended forms when they seemed to rise and smile. 
When I reached the hilltop the day-birds had finished their 
goodnight song and the shadows of darkness had curtained 
the hillside. The entertaining melody of birds, the charms 
of flowers had detained me until too late to see the sunset. 

There on that lonely hilltop the birds had ceased to sing, 
the sun had ceased to shine. Weary and tired of my happy 
journey, I sat on a mossy stone to rest and think amid 
darkness, beasts and loneliness. I arose to resume my 
journey homeward, but alas! the path which seemed so beau- 
tiful one hour before was lost and the roar of beasts seemed 
louder. Knowing not v/hich way to go, I again sat down 
to think. There amid anxiety and tears I heard the voice 
of a bird begin to sing a beautiful song. I could not see the 
bird but I heard its voice so soft and sweet. There I sat 
charmed by its music yet I could not understand its words. 
Oh! said I, you are the bird of happiness! where art thy mate, 
called hope? Then I heard another voice join in the chorus, 
the words of which I understood, 

Be not frightened of the dark ; 
The Savior guides you still. 
Darkness now precedes the dawn 
For 'tis God's holy will. 

Tho' earth is dressed of shadows, 
The sky's a starry awning; 
There never was a night so dark 
It did not have a dawning. 

One, the bird of happiness, 

And one the bird of hope — 

Doth promise thee that soon the moon 

Will light the mountain slope. 



Then their voices ceased ; I opened my eyes and the tears 
had dried and I beheld the moon, whose light made the hilltop 
white as the driven snow. There, standing beneath the shining 
rays of the silvery moon and the sparkling light of the twinkling 



6o Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

stars, I looked down the lighted hillside upon the valley, which 
was beautiful beyond language to express. 

In that beautiful valley, away from the noisy clamor of the 
city, I saw the lamp-light from a humble cottage. When all 
the birds had ceased to sing, I heard a husband as he crossed 
the valley singing: "Now my day's work is done and soon I 
will be with wife and baby in my little vine-clad home." Then 
I again looked down upon the cottage and saw the lovely wife 
standing in the doorway holding a babe in her arms. As the 
strong voice of husband rang over the hill, the innocent form 
of babyhood clapped its little hands with joy. A mother's face 
was wreathed with smiles and three hearts beat as one. 

Tho' the husband was weary of daily toil, every step drew 
him nearer to the ones he loved. Watching the smiles of hus- 
band, wife and baby, I saw him take the child in his arms, when 
baby lips pressed those of manhood. 

While the wife took his dinner pail he kissed her womanly 
cheek. After a playful romp with baby three glad hearts as- 
sembled around a small table, where a true man gave thanks 
for life and food to the God who helped him to earn their daily 
bread. You may dream of the beautiful mansions in village and 
city, the towering palace on foundation of marble, the interior 
walls bordered with gold, costly furniture of mahogany, cut 
glass of many colors, and all the so-called luxuries of wealth 
and fortune, but I never expect to imagine a more beautiful sight 
this side of heaven than the cottage home of that laboring man. 



HOW TO SPELL VICTORY WITH SENTENCES. 

Venture not upon the threshold of wrong. 

Insinuate not that which you cannot prove true. 

Contest eagerly for your rights. 

Tempt not yourself with evil thoughts. 

Outstrip competition with honest rrierit. 

Respect sacred things, your parents, the feminine sex and old age. 

Yield not to discouragement and victory is yours. 



BE HAPPY! 



T wonder if we are all doing our best to make each hour 
golden? If not, let us begin right now and resolve to be a little 
more sunny. Let us discard worry and fretfulness and be 
liappy. Let us put sad thoughts aside and be cheerful. Let us 
change our sour, gloomy looks for smiles and try to be pleasant, 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 6i 

helpful companions instead of human wet blankets. And while 
we are trying to improve ourselves, let us be a little less keen 
to see the faults of others, but search with faith that we shall 
find the good that's in it all. 

Gloomy, pessimistic views are detrimental to health as well 
as happiness. Not only our own good but that of everyone with 
whom we come in contact, is helped or hindered by our mental 
attitude. For the sake of everyone around us let us radiate good 
cheer, good will, hope, ♦health and happiness. Think it, talk it, 
look it, act it. Thus we shall learn to live it- 

jj. 



THE VALLEY PATHWAY. 

The valleys always abound in springs and refreshing streams 
more than the high places of earth. The valleys are often cov- 
ered with fresh and abundant pastures when the hilltops are bleak 
and bare. Many of the richest experiences of God's people have 
been found in the valleys of affliction and trial. From the bottom 
of a deep pit or well the stars have been seen in daylight, and 
it is often when we are let down, so to speak, into the deep pits 
of sorrow and trial that we behold the brightness and precious- 
ness of God's promises in fullest measure. 

The valley road is safer for our feet than the scaly mountain 
pathway. We may long to climb to the pinnacle of the temple, 
but it is well to quench such ambitions by recollecting the pur- 
pose for which the devil led our Lord to such a height — that he 
might cast Him down from thence. 

To many, the entrance into the paths of righteousness lies 
thru the valley of the shadow. 

5f 



THE UPWARD LOOK. 

However dark may be the outlook before us in our life 
course, the upward look is ever a bright one. It is always day- 
light toward heaven. Then why should we lose hope of light 
simply because we are in the present darkness? 

The poet still pictures the tree top as in hopeful peace, during 
the moonlit night, seeing from afar the approach of dawn, while 
the lower branches are stirred with a tremulous dread of their 
own shadows and moanings. 

The night is dark and lonely. 

The winds blow cruel and chill; 
And shadows are darkly spreading 

O'er mountain, lake and hill. 



62 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Some heart is sadly aching, 

Some soul in deep distress; 
But sunbeams soon are coming — 

The morning to caress. 
Then arise and look toward heaven! 

Your courage to renew ; 
For hope, like darting sunbeams 

Will bring a brighter view. 



A WORD TO BOYS. 

You are made to be kind, boys, generous, magnanimous. 

If there is a boy in school who has a club foot don't let him 
know you ever saw it. 

If there is a boy with ragged clothes, don't talk about rags in 
his hearing. 

If there is a lame boy, assign him some part in the game 
that doesn't require running. 

If there is a hungry one, give him part of your dinner. 

If there is a dull one, help him learn his lesson. 

If there is a bright one, be not envious of him; for if one boy 
is proud of his talents and another is envious of them, there are 
two great wrongs and no more talent than before. 

If a larger and stronger boy has injured you and is sorry for 
it, forgive him. All the school will show by their countenance 
how much better it is than to have a great fuss. 



[BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENTS. 

Beautiful sentiments are born in an unprejudiced, optimistic 
mind, cultivated by daily thinking of the beautiful, and grow 
in the heart of unselfish love. 

Beautiful sentiments like flowers, lend graceful charms to 
their possessor and are the first fruits of happiness. Open the 
windows of your soul that all the universe may beautify it. Let 
the sunshine of kindness, beauty and love light your soul from 
countless sources. Throw open the doors of reason and let 
truth shine therein. 

As light banishes darkness, faith will drive away distrust. 

Open the windows of your soul where the splendor of un- 
fathomed seas of space might bathe it with beautiful sentiments, 
where the golden waves of love will refresh every fiber and 



Sliver Gems in Seas of Gold 63 

bathe every tissue with that life-giving vigor which only beautiful 
sentiments can give. 

Sweep down the cobwebs of unbelief and let in the light of 
reason and knowledge. 

Think and practice beautiful thoughts. Tune your ear to 
their wordless music. Greet the stars and think their blessings. 
Mingle your song with the voice of nature. Love, trust and 
hope. A thousand unseen hands reach down to help you and 
the angels are sending down their good wishes on peace-crowned 
wings. Be not afraid ; for the heights of heaven are waiting to 
greet you, and the God of all bids you courage. 

Possess beautiful sentiments and the beauty of earth and its 
splendors and heaven and its glories all are yours as an angel's 
reward. 



MAN AND IMMORTALITY. 

Man, like the leaves of the forest, springs forth in the early 
summer of his existence, nods pleasantly to his fellow-beings a 
few brief mornings, and then dies. How short the race he runs, 
and how unsatisfactory his achievement of fame and fortune. 
But that invisible being — that immortal soul, like the bud which 
is perfected in the flower and like the blossom which is perfected 
in the fruit — that soul meets its perfection in heaven. 

As the seed must die to become a flower, or to reach a higher 
perfection, so man's body must die to develop the soul into an 
angel. Immortality is only the farthest advancement of nature ; 
as the blossom is superior to the seed, the soul will be visibly 
superior to the body in the form of an angel. 

No more, no less. No man who believes in nature can be an 
infidel. Altho' at times, doubt flashes over the minds that are 
weak, because they cannot penetrate God's deep mysteries and 
yet there exist a thousand mysteries of life and nature around 
them which they cannot begin to understand. When Christ stood 
upon the waves and calmed the storm and told the sweet old 
story of eternal life, the world at large did not see the blessings 
of redemption thru blood and tears. 

The outside world is just the same to-day — ever ready to 
scorn those who struggle for the welfare of humanity. It is 
human nature to withhold the flowers from the pathway of its 
toiling pilgrims, leaving the briars and thorns in their road. 
Then when the mystery of life ends in the sleepless silence of 
death and the soul flees into the boundless ocean of the beyond, 
the friends of the deceased pilgrim gather at the casket, veiled 
in mourning and strew roses upon the mound of clay and drop 
tears of sympathy and grief on the grave. 

I admire flowers because they are God's beautiful emblems 



64 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

of purity, but when I die, just send the flowers to my mother, 
if the thread of her Hf e be not broken ; and if she is dead take 
them to her grave, and say, "these are blossoms of honor and 
sympathy for the godly mother of her deceased boy." 



PERSONS WHO WHINE. 

There is a class of people in this fair world of ours — a class 
by no means small, alas ! — whose prominent peculiarity — is whin- 
ing. 

They whine because of anything and everything — and they en- 
joy it. From the peculiar intonation used when expressing 
themselves, you might feel yourself called upon to express sym- 
pathy for them. Don't do it. The half crying tones affected by 
them need neither distress nor deceive you. They are not suf- 
fering — far from it ; they are enjoying thanselves. It is you 
who suffer. 

These peculiar persons will whine about anything. If they 
be poor they will whine, and if they be rich they will whine, 
with "money's a care," "life's a trial," "love's a snare and mock- 
ery," for the burden of their song. 

The whiners whine because it rains, but are just as ready to 
whine at the too brightly beaming splendor of the sun; they 
whine at the weather; they whine at luck or its tardiness of ap- 
proach; they whine if they be sick or if they be well, if obliged 
to take a journey or to remain at home; at eating, or drinking, 
or sleeping, or waking, it's whine, whine, whine, until one longs 
earnestly for a swift, sudden, and just retribution to overtake 
them. 

It is a well-established principle of physiology and common 
sense that unceasing indulgence in this despicable habit wears 
upon the nerves and upsets all the beautiful, harmonious laws 
of our being, causing in time, a weakening of vitality that ren- 
ders the body in condition to receive any and all the diseases that 
seem to stand in readiness to devour the weaklings. 

Does all the whining help one along? Does it change (save 
ever and always for the worse) any existing state of things? 
Does it bring anything but gloom into the sunniest house? Are 
those who indulge in it loved the more for it, or their society 
eagerly sought? Do we not shun the whmers as we would the 
plague, giving them a wide berth in the small space of time we 
must pass with them upon our homeward passage? 

No one has the right to cast a shadow across the heart or 
hearth of another; no one has the right to draw the curtains 
of selfishness between any other and the sweet, free light of 
heaven, and we do wrong to cringe as wc do before the whiners, 
and allow them to mar our lives. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 65 

Let us make a bold stand against the selfish class; let us 
mock them in their own tunes, paint them in their own colors, 
if need be, and thus hold before them a mirror in which they 
may see their faults reflected, and seeing grow ashamed. 

Let whines hereafter fall upon deaf ears. Give no heed to 
any utterance that comes to us in tones other than the cheerful, 
the affectionate and blithe, and, in brief, treat the whiner with 
that contempt he or she deserves. Things of great promise 
oftentimes fall under the blight of non-recognition; let us ignore 
this evil thing, and, by such ignorance of its presence, rid our- 
selves of The Whiner. 

Jf 



THE MISSION OF THE BROOK. 

One autumn day I drank from the cooling waters of a small, 
bubbling spring from nature's breast. I wondered where that 
tiny stream of water ran and where would be its final home. 
In its ripple thru the meadow, the beasts drank to quench their 
thirst, the fowls drank their fill, the mother bird carried some 
tiny drops to her young and still the stream sang its never 
changing song. Ah ! said I, everything however tiny, hath its 
blessings. Some of the stream evaporated into the air, the cloud 
formed into rain and a refreshing shower came and lifted the 
heads of the withered flowers, the blades of grass and the crops 
of growing vegetation. 

Flowing on and on, down the beautiful little stream, its 
waters ran into a brook, the brook into the river, and finally 
the river into the ocean, which is its home. 

Then the first thought came, "how long and weary has been 
its path," and the second thought was, "how merrily it sung 
on its way and how many blessings has it given to humanity, 
vegetation, fowls and animals." Then the glad echo came say- 
ing, I have bathed the fevered brow of the afflicted, I have 
washed the hands of toil, I have quenched the thirst of thou- 
ands, I have kissed the buds into bloom, I have developed tiny 
seeds into ripe fruits to feed the hungry, I have visited the dry- 
ing pastures, and every night I shed my tears of dewdrops 
upon the laden boughs. 



X- 

WHAT HAS INFIDELITY DONE? 

Has infidelity ever raised a man or woman from the 
haunts of vice, and made a sinful life clean? Has it ever 
taken a drunkard from the gutter, the gambler from his 
cards, the fallen from a life of shame? Has it ever found a 
man coarse and brutal in character and life, and made him 



(]/S Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

a kind husband and father? Has it ever gone into the 
heathen land and found a people ignorant and barbarous, 
delighting in rapine and murder, and by the power of its 
teaching lifted them out of their degradation, until they 
adopted the customs of civilized nations? Has it ever writ- 
ten down languages, translated literature, prepared text 
books, planted schools, established academies, seminaries, 
colleges and universities? Has it ever founded hospitals, 
builded asylums, established orphanages and brought bless- 
ings to the poor, the sick, the maimed and the blind? What 
discoveries has it made? What improvements has it intro- 
duced? Is there in all the history of infidelity a story of 
its moral triumphs that will match the achievements of Chris- 
tianity? Has it added anything to the sum of human happi- 
ness? Does it bring one ray of comfort into the chamber of 
death, filling the soul of the dying with peace, and the hearts 
of weeping friends with hope? The religion of Jesus Christ 
has done all these things. "The tree is known by its fruits." 
"Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Does 
infidelity bear figs or thistles? 



A GOLDEN DAY. 

There come into all of our lives some days so quiet, so 
peaceful, so filled with heaven's own joy that we turn back 
to them as the years go by and feel that God has on those 
days drawn aside the curtain of heaven itself and let us for 
a moment view the joy and gladness waiting beyond for 
"those who would His children be." Shadows will come, 
and dark gloomy ones they are at times. Yet, wait a little! 
With our hope fixed firmly upon a divine power which rules 
the universe, the cloud will suddenly burst asunder and the 
golden light from the very throne of God will come shining 
thru, and we wonder within ourselves why we did not be- 
fore see the silver lining of that dark cloud of trouble and 
doubt. We did not see it because our faith did not reach 
out beyond our little circle of gloom. Oh, let us try to 
learn the lesson of hope, love and trust day by day, and pray 
for more faith to penetrate the darkness around us. Then 
will the memorable days of joy and gladness come to us 
much more often. And in this life shall we fit ourselves to 
enjoy the beauties of the glorious sunset awaiting those who 
are "faithful till the end." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 6'/ 

SOME OF THE FOOLISHNESS OF FASHION. 

It has always been fashionable to be a fool. 

The height of fashion and the height of folly go hand- 
in-hand. 

Nearly all fashionableness is extremely foolish, and nearly 
all foolishness is extremely fashionable. 

In the most elite society, conventionality is an ever-ac- 
ceptable substitute for character, wealth for worth, broad- 
cloth for brains, jewels for judgment, style for sense, riches 
for righteousness, money for manhood, vanity for virtue, 
position for purity, decoration for decency, paint for piety, 
treasure for truth, conceit for conviction, silk for sincerity, 
gout for goodness, gold for godliness, culture for Christian- 
ity, polish for purpose, manners for morals. 

In the dictionary and in high society satin and Satan are 
not very far apart. 

Sin is the most stylish thing in the world. 

According to the Bible it is very fashionable to go to 
hell. "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to 
destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby." 

Prudishness, weakness, disease, crime, immorality, vice, 
deformity, debauchery, degradation, sin, shame, sorrow, ig- 
norance, and error are all children of the Goddess of Fash- 
ion. 

Fashion is largely responsible for the senseless arguments 
heard for ages in favor of saloons, brothels and other similar 
abominations. 

Fashion makes a white shirt more important than a white 
life. 

Fashion prohibits a man from appearing in public without 
a coat, but permits him to appear anywhere without a char- 
acter. 

Fashion is one of the principal promoters of depravity, 
one of the worst enemies of purity. 

It is not fashionable to think. 

Fashion makes unconventionality in any form a worse 
crime than drunkenness. 

Fashion is the author of our double moral standard, of . 
false standards of success, and many other enslaving prin- 
ciples of error. When truth shall finally triumph over error, 
then will freedom triumph over fashion. 

Fashion transforms the human body, the holy temple of 
God, into a vile hovel of Satan, converts love into lust and 
home into hell, and makes mockery of the sacredness of 
marriage and motherhood. 

Fashion ever stands as a monstrous foe in the path of 
Christian conquest. 



68 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER. 

You may have enough strength of character now to repel 
temptations to gross wickedness which assail you, but I do 
not know in what strait you may be thrust at some future 
time. Nothing short of the grace of the cross may then 
be able to deliver you from the lions. You are not meeker 
than Moses, nor holier than David, nor more patient than 
Job, and you ought not to consider yourself invulnerable. 
You may have some weak point of character that you have 
never discovered, and in some hour when you are assaulted 
the Philistines will be upon thee, Samson. Trust not in 
your good habits, or your early training, or your pride of 
character; nothing short of the arm of Almighty God will 
be sufficient to uphold you. You look forward to the world 
sometimes with a chilling despondency. Cheer up. I will 
tell you how you may make a fortune. "Seek first the king- 
dom of God and His righteousness and all other things will 
be added unto you." 

^ 

THE CHILDREN'S BLESSING. 

Children are the salvation of the race. They purify, they 
elevate, they stir, they instruct, they console, they reconcile, 
they gladden us. They are the sunshine of human life, in- 
spiring us with hope, rousing us to wholesome sacrifice. If, 
in the faults which they inherit, they show us the worst of 
ourselves, and so move us to a salutary repentance, they also 
stimulate our finer qualities; they cheat us of weary care; 
they preach to us, not so much by their lips as by their inno- 
cence; their questions set us thinking, and to better purpose 
than the syllogisms of philosophers; their loveliness sur- 
prises us into pure joy. 

A child is a sunbeam on a winter sea, a flower in a prison 
garden, the music of bells over the noise of a great city, a 
fragrant odor in a sick room. If any one thinks this exag- 
gerated, I am sorry for him. These fingers tingle with a 
kind of happiness while I am writing about them here. My 
chilly friend need not have my joy if he does not believe in 
it, or care for it; I will not force it on him, but he shall not 
take mine from me. 



THE POWER OF A SMILE. 

Who has not seen and felt the power of a smile? 

Upon the faces of babes and little children, in the eyes 
and mouths of sweet young girls and boys; upon the faces 
of men and women who were learning for the first time 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 69 

that ever new and beautiful lesson of love, whose hearts 
and souls were being awakened by the voice of a new senti- 
ment almost a surprise and wonderment to themselves. 

Who has not seen the smile of love given by a mother to 
her child? The babe looks for the smile of its mother or 
nurse when it awakens from its nap; and the little face is 
ready to respond if some one is there to answer it with the 
sign of love which is a smile. How many successes in life 
are due to encouragement, hope and reassurance of those 
we love. I often try the effect of a kindly smile upon the 
weary children and toilers for bread. The car conductors, 
the little newsboys, and the poor over-worked grocery boys. 
It always brings out an answering smile and they look hap- 
pier for the little kindness shown to them. 

A beautiful smile and one that helps us to realize the 
divinity of life is that upon the face of the dying. When 
quite young I witnessed such a triumphant expression upon 
a saintly face when passing thru the change called death, and 
it gave me a happy feeling that robbed death of its terrors. 
It suggested the whispering of angels lighting the pathway 
to God and the higher, diviner realms. 



MAKING LIFE A SONG. 

A perfectly holy life would be a perfect song. At the 
best on earth, our lives are imperfect in their harmonies; 
but if we are Christ's disciples we are learning to sing while 
here, and some day the music will be perfect. It grows in 
sweetness here just as we learn to do God's will on earth 
as it is done in heaven. 

It is often in sorrow that our lives are taught their sweet- 
est songs. There is a story of a German baron who stretched 
wires from tower to tower of his castle to make an aeolian 
harp. Then he waited to hear the music from it. For a 
time the air was still and no sound was heard. Afterward 
gentle breezes blew and the harp sang softly. At length 
came the winter winds, strong and storm-like in their force, 
then the wires gave out majestic music which was heard 
thru all the castle. There are human lives that never yield 
the music that is in them in the calm of quiet days; but 
when the winds of trial sweep over them they give out 
murmurings of song; and when the storms of adversity 
blow upon them they answer in notes of victory. Often it 
takes trouble to bring out the best that is in us. 

Come what may, we should make our lives songs. We 
have no right to add to the world's discords, or to sing any 



/O Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

but sweet strains in the ears of others. We should start 
no note of sadness in this world, which is already so full 
of sadness. We should add something every day to the 
stock of the world's happiness. If we are truly Christ's 
and walk with Him, we cannot but sing. 



-•X- 



THE MOTHER. 

If there is any one on earth before whom my soul bows 
with admiration, it is the mother who is training up her 
child for God. Her name does not appear in the papers, 
there is no record of her labors except that on high ; she 
is often sad and dispirited; but she hopes on and toils on 
till the sleep of death comes. Ah! mother, God only knows 
what good 3'^ou are doing. Think of John Wesley's mother, 
and of the 125,000 Methodist preachers who are to-day 
preaching Christ. When I die, I had rather it should be 
said of me, "He hath done what he could for Christ," than 
anything else that human voices could utter. 



KEEP SWEET. 

Everyone engaged in any sort of business will find daily 
trials. There will be need of patience. There will be many diffi- 
culties. Men will come short. There will be those to disappoint 
and those who seek to take advantage of you. Do not let them 
rob you of your true dignity and repose of spirit. You will do 
but little that will have paid you for the doing if it rob you of 
your peace and quietness of heart. And so, in all your daily 
work and duties, keep sweet! 

Everyone who stands up to resist popular sins will have 
to suffer for it. All that live godly and oppose evil will be 
made to feel the lash. The danger for him is that he shall 
develop pugnacity and unloveliness and bitterness. He will 
be called ''fantastic" and "mocker" and "pharisee." He 
cannot help this; but he can, by God's grace, help developing a 
like spirt. He must have the spirit of Him "who when He was 
reviled, reviled not again." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold yi 

OVERFLOWING JOY. 

Joy's nature, like the swollen river, is to overflow. 

Grief retires from observation. Hiding herself, she con- 
ceals rather than proclaims the sorrow that she feeds on; 
like the stricken deer leaves the herd that she may weep 
in secret over her bleeding wounds. It is otherwise with 
joy. Joy must have vent. A fountain not only flows but over- 
flows, it bursts up and out, seeking to communicate its own 
happiness to others. 

The world only desires to hear of your joys. So I would 
say, tell your joys to the world and your troubles alone to 
God in prayer. 

The Bible tells us of the prodigal son who returned to 
his father and how the father expressed his great joy over 
the wanderer's return; but it doesn't say a word about the 
father expressing to his servant the sorrow which he must 
have borne while his beloved son sought to be a wanderer 
from home. 

In this parable, so true in all its parts to nature, this 
feature of joy stands beautifully out. To these servants 
the father had never told his grief; but now the prodigal 
is come back, and his heart is bursting with joy; he tells 
them of it. He cannot conceal it. He does not seek to 
conceal it. He says, let us eat and be merry — I am so 
happy myself, I wish all others to be happy. Banish all 
care; drop your toils; let the shepherd come from the hill, 
the plowman from the furrow, the herd from the pastures, 
the meanest servant come; and all wearing smiles and join- 
ing in the song, hold holiday with my heart. My son that 
was dead is alive again; that was lost, is found. And this 
happiest of fathers is rejoicing over the returned prodigal, 
blotting out of memory all his offences, doting on him, 
drawing him to his side, clasping him in his arms, and 
expressing the warmest love from a father's heart. Let us 
note this beautiful lesson of the father's spirit to forget 
and forgive. Let us hold up our heads, look the world 
in the face with a smile and tell our joys to the world, 
forgiving offenders, forgetting offences, and live in the opti- 
mistic world. 



GOOD LITERATURE IN THE HOME. 

Literature which elevates character, develops the brain and 
fills the heart with good and noble sentiments is not necessarily 
something "new," but often contains thought "old as the hills." 
Often the reading of one poem or lecture in childhood will be 



72 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

recalled in manhood or womanhood and influence the life to no- 
bility. 

I remember a true story of a boy who left home to roam 
with the cowboys of the West. One night he was invited to go 
with the boys across the country to some wild place of wicked 
amusement. The night was dark. The cowboys mounted their 
horses in a run and were off at rapid speed. This boy also 
started but as his horse was lunging he saw he had better tighten 
his reins and slow down for his own safety. Thus the crowd 
got ahead. Then this boy thought of a little poem he had learned 
in his childhood home. He had not repeated it for years, but 
every word came to him just as he had learned it when a 
boy. The title of the poem was the "Mad Rushing Crowd." 
The sentiment of the poem struck him so forcibly that he turned 
his horse and w'ent back to the cabin. He again repeated the 
poem and knelt by his bed and thanked God for a home in 
which he found the sweetness of a mother's love and good 
literature. That very night he turned back, three of the cow- 
boys were shot and killed. 

Many young persons try to penetrate the mystery of science 
and the "deeper works" of literature before having completed 
the simpler courses. I would say to all beginners, read some- 
thing which deepends the knowledge of human nature, something 
which creates beautiful sentiments, broadens the disposition and 
exemplifies the glories of God's fields of nature. 

Thus, by easy and blissful steps, you will find your mind 
fitted for the serene plains of critical thought, where dwell 
greatest blessings and happiness for j^ou and yours. The mind 
is contented in training, and it enters lovely avenues open on 
every side, the walks of the world of science, and reads the 
wonders of the flowers, the treasures of the sea, the stories 
of the stone, the marvels of insect life and the romance of the 
birds of the air. 

But in all this where is the story, the novel, the delight of 
modern youth ? Youth should stand on the threshold of manhood 
and womanhood, having read something of each of these many 
things, before the novel is reached. And now, at last, when his- 
tory has given you truth as a basis of judgment, when biog- 
raphy has instructed you in human nature, and travels have 
taught you in scenery, and poetry has moulded you in sentiment, 
and criticism has guided you in discernment, now you are at 
last able to reject the bad and choose the good. 

But hark you, there is one Book which is alone a library in 
itself. He who has not read and re-read the English Bible knows 
nothing of English literature. Here is history, here is biog- 
raph3^ and travels, and philosophy, and poetry, and depths of 
science, and sweetest romances of youth and love and adven- 
ture, that have the added glory of being true. The Bible is 
d. standard of pure taste; it is a measure and model of the Eng- 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold y^ 

lish tongue; more than anything else that has been written it 
permeates all literature; if we fail to read it, to study it, to 
possess it — then fairest similes, and choices allusions, and 
aptest quotations in poet and essayist and novelist and historian 
fall unapprehended upon our stupid brains. And I mention this 
to you simply as an intellectual point, without referring to the 
fact that here flow, as in a blessed fountain, the life-currents of 
the soul. 

There is so much bad literature mixed with the good that 
the home often becomes an abode of unfit literature before the 
parents are aware. 

The mind is a phonograph which shall keep and echo the im- 
pressions of the past. Books form in us habits of thought which 
shall live forever with us. Then if our reading is to terminate 
on the useless or the dangerous, it will be a thousand pities that 
we ever learned to read. 

To begin, then : never read that which, instead of adding to, 
takes from, your mental or spiritual strength. Do not let your 
reading be a succession of examples in subtraction, but in addi- 
tion to your inner life. Never read a book that robs you of 
earnestness, nor of that high quality of reverence, without which 
there can be no truly elevated character. Never read anything 
which in one whit robs you of purity, for it is only the pure in 
heart who shall see God. Never read what you are ashamed 
to be seen reading; the instinct to hide is your heart's own sen- 
tence of condemnation. 

Don't read from curiosity what good people have con- 
demned. Did you say, Thomas, that you had heard the book 
was not good, but you wanted to read for yourself, and see if 
it were bad? This is not a brave judgment trying all things; this 
is curiosity and a mean love of evil. Better trust these other 
persons who condemn ; they were made before you were. I do 
not know that you were so eager to try if arsenic and vitriol are 
dangerous and how they are dangerous. We show our best 
judgment, my children, by taking some things on trust. The 
world is wide, and we cannot investigate everything; a cater- 
pillar on a grape-leaf can investigate the whole of his domain, 
but the eagle cannot try every field of air. And lastly don't 
read everything you see, in an insane desire to be called a great 
reader; be rather a thorough, careful reader. Don't read any- 
thing just because you "happened to it up," but read what there 
is a reasonable prospect of finding worth reading. 



I AM THE KING OF MYSTERY. 

I stand at the door of every mortal born. I bring the mil- 
lionaire on equal footing with the pauper. I bring the eminent 
on level with the ignorant. The learned philosopher and the 



74 Silver Gcius in Seas of Gold 

song of the poet are silent when they enter my door. In my 
arms the rulers shall lose all power, kings and queens must 
surrender their starry crowns. Within my portals the invalid 
shall cease to suffer, the selfish shall cease to envy, the proud 
shall lose all pride and opportunity shall fade into nothingness. 

Wealth, honor, capacity and pleasure shall bow their heads 
before me to rise no more. Here the injured and injurer shall 
stand on the same platform, human tears will cease to flow, 
hearts will cease to ache, the brain will cease to think and the 
veil of mystery shall be drawn beyond the comprehension of 
man. I am the master of human destiny. I stand at your door, 
you are my victim, I will close the door of your earthly exis- 
tence. 

My name is DEATH. 

^ 



THE RIGHT WAY TO WORK. 

A minister, seeing an old parishioner kneeling at his work of 
breaking stones, remarked : "Ah, John, I wish I could break the 
hard hearts of m.y people as easily as you break these flints !" 
The old man looked up and replied: "Perhaps, master, you don't 
work on your knees." 



SPEAK A GOOD WORD. 

The person who always has a good word for some one is 
sure to be happy. Kindly words are spoken from sentiments of 
love and gratitude. A good word proceedeth from a good heart. 



ADVICE TO A YOUNG MAN. 

Remember, son, that the world is older than you are by sev- 
eral years ; that for thousands of years it has been so full of 
smarter and better young men than yourself that their feet stuck 
out of the dormer windows ; that when they died the old globe 
went whirling on, and not one man in ten million went to the 
funeral or even heard of the death. 

Be as smart as you can, of course. Know as much as you 
can without blowing the packing out of your cylinder head ; shed 
the light of your wisdom abroad in the world, but don't dazzle 
people with it and don't imagine a thing is so just because you 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 75 

say it is. Don't be too sorry for your father because he knows 
so much less than you do. 

The world has a great need of young men, but no greater 
need than the young men have of it. Your clothes fit you better 
than your father's fit him; they cost more money, they are more 
stylish, your mustache is neater, the cut of your hair is better, 
and you are prettier, O far prettier, than "pa." But, young man, 
the old gentleman gets the biggest salary, and his homely 
scrambling signature on the business end of a check will bring 
more money out of the bank in five minutes than you could get 
out of a ream of paper and a copperplate signature in six 
months. 

Young men are useful, and we all love them, and we couldn't 
engineer a picnic successfully without them. But they are not 
novelties, son. O no, nothing of the kind. They have been here 
before. Do not be so modest as to shut yourself clear out; but 
don't be so fresh you will have to be put away in the cool to 
keep from spoiling. Don't be afraid that your merit will not 
be discovered. People all over the world are hunting for you ; 
if you are worth finding, the} will find you. A diamond isn't so 
easily found as a quartz pebble, but people search for it all the 
more intently. 

X 



GIVING SELF. 

He who gives much of himself will be abundantly en- 
riched, because he places in life a large measure of himself 
to be filled. 

He who gives things, may lose all that he has given ; 
but he who gives himself loses nothing; he merely gains 
a larger and a richer self. 

He who gives himself to mankind gives life, and life 
can supply all things. 

To have abundance of life is to have power to help your- 
self and re-create your own world according to your highest 
thought and desire. 



THE SALOON'S FALL. 

The saloon must fall, because it is built upon sandy foun- 
dation. It must fall because the right shall conquer wrong; 
because it is the sole enemy to church, school, labor and 
the American home. It must fall. It will fall. We shall 



y6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

see it fall, and its fall is not in the distant future. Its foun- 
dation is tottering. Many of the bricks of its walls have 
already fallen — never to rise again. 

Public sentiment says it is the enemy of civic progress, 
the church says it is the enemy of God, heaven and hu- 
manity; the religious press says it is America's greatest 
enemy — hence it must fall. Let us not grow weary in our 
long fight. Let us only grow stronger and more determined 
to bring about its fall. For fifty years the saloon has been 
pretending to regulate its business and lessen its crime and 
shame. But it has been a complete failure. Maybe some 
saloons have actually tried to regulate the business, to les- 
sen the crime and banish the shame. But its regulation is 
an impossibility. Since black is black, water is wet and sin 
is sin, the saloon is still a saloon. Then don't expect it to 
be "regulated." If you can regulate sin into righteousness, 
then^ you can regulate the saloon. You must stop sin 
to live righteousness. The way to regulate the saloon is 
to sweep it off the face of the earth! Let us do with the 
American saloon like the Dutchman did with his dog — "cut 
its tail off, behind the ears." Let us not think our task an 
easy one. Our enemy is strong and working day and night 
to dethrone the cause of temperance and prohibition. 

Prohibition is a grand success thus far. And, remember, 
the more successful it is, the more the saloon will talk of 
its unsuccessfulness. Let us remember this. The saloon 
friend is forever crying that "Prohibition is a failure be- 
cause it don't prohibit." Of course it does not prohibit in 
one sense of the word. Neither do our murder laws pro- 
hibit murder. Persons are killed every day of the year. 
But our murder laws do punish the guilty at the bar of jus- 
tice. Thus murders are lessened. Exactly so with our pro- 
hibition laws. Then do not be weak and let the saloon 
friend make you swallow this kind of a pill. Their argu- 
ment is worse than weak and can only affect weaklings. 

Another great point the saloon tries to make is that "the 
church and preachers should not go into politics." I guess 
it's all right for the saloon to go into politics. Anyhow, it 
has been in politics ever since I was born and has been 
the chief author of four-fifths of all the shame and bribery 
therein. Let me say that we have Scripture and plenty of 
it too — which justifies the preacher and church in the pro- 
hibition cause against the saloon. The preacher who stands 
back and does not fight the saloon is certainly not a preacher 
of Jesus Christ. He is a hypocrite of the deep-hell dye. 
He is a snake in the grass. He is unworthy of the name 
Christian. But I'm glad to say that the preachers generally 
are wearing their fighting clothes. Keep 'em on! gents, and 
let's not retreat. The saloon must fall! Will you help us 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 77 

to put it to nothingness? Let us double our energy and 
banish the saloon now and forever. 

All the good people are on our side. Then, can we not 
with God and His servants master the saloon and the devil? 
The fight is getting hot! The saloon is nearing its grave. 
Its funeral knell is foretold. But remember how a dying 
cause can fight! It's like trying to whip a mad bull. 

But we mean to win. We must win. "No drunkard shall 
enter the kingdom of heaven," so says the Book. Then 
Vi^hy should we not try to kill the source from which drunk- 
enness comes? 

Heaven is on our side. The angels in heaven are rejoic- 
ing in our work. The Book says, the angels rejoice over 
redeemed souls. Then when we save a man from a drunk- 
ard's grave, do they not rejoice? 

Then heaven, all true Christians, God and His angels are 
on our side. 

This should inspire our every effort. Don't be bluffed 
by the cruel and cowardly threats of our enemy. Let our 
enemy rave and threaten. Let the red-eyed monster spit 
its fire from the very jaws of hell! But we are in the battle 
to stay. The saloon has had its day; its blossom time is 
passed, tho' its deadly tracks and scars are still fresh. The 
saloons have broken enough human hearts and caused 
enough tears to bury them under the human wreckage. Then 
let us banish this fountain-head of tears, heart-breaks, 
shame, crime, pain and misery and live under the protective folds 
of a free and stainless American flag. 

Now, all temperance and prohibition workers, take cour- 
age! Cheer up! Trust God! Work! Toil! Labor cease- 
lessly and true; for the saloon must fall. 



FATHERHOOD. 

The highest glory of American manhood is that of father- 
hood. A manly, brave, strong father — yet kind, tender and af- 
fectionate. The prettiest sight in domestic life is when the toil- 
ing father returns to his loved ones — the home of all his suprem- 
est joys and the shadows of his sorrow and affection. 

"Here comes papa !" cries one of the children, and soon little 
feet are tipping toward the gate to swing by his big, strong hand. 
He is greeted by a loving wife and a warm supper is ready 
where an unbroken family sits around the table in domestic 
bliss. 

A good father has a smile and a loving word for every mem- 
ber, and no trifle of childhood is too small to merit his careful 



78 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

consideration. A happy home is an earthly heaven, children are 
its angels, mother is its queen and father is its king. 

The greatest honor obtainable for man, is the founder of a 
happy home — ''be it ever so humble." 

Poets love to write of a mother's love and tenderness but 
along with the praises of the bearers of burden and responsi- 
bility, let's not forget "old father" or the honored husband. A 
father's love for his children is tender as a mother's love, yet 
not so strong. The reason is that mothers suffer (in accord with 
nature) for their children which is not the privilege of the fa- 
ther. Love grows with sufferance and sorrow — hence a moth- 
er's love is the strongest. Yet look at the responsibility of the 
husband and father. 

Fathers love, plan, toil, labor and care unselfishly for wife 
and children. No day too cold, no day too hot, no night too 
dark for father to administer to the needs of the dear ones at 
home. 

Father ! the bearer of labor. Father ! on whose shoulders 
rests the responsibility of financial resources. Father ! who 
clothes and feeds those who are so dependent on his manly 
efforts. 

Father! who stays least by the pleasant fireside of home. 
Father ! who daily returns to gladden the home he built to shel- 
ter the objects of his love. Father! on whose strong and manly 
arm leans the beautiful, innocent daughter for counsel and ad- 
vice. 

Father! on whose knee the small children ride and pride. 

Father ! whose brave, manly presence banish fright and fear. 

Father ! the home protector, the home defender. 

Father ! who would bravely face death to protect the wife 
with whom he stood at the altar and pledged fo cherish. 

Father I in whom the son places implicit confidence. 

Father ! whose thin ringlets have turned to snowy locks of 
silver gray. 

Father ! whose honest brow is wrinkled with furrows of care 
and whose bright face beams forth cheerful smiles, 

God bless the father! All honor to fatherhood! 

He is a most sublime factor in the American home life. 

A timid child awakened one night from a terrible dream, 
so vivid and real to her overwrought nerves that it seemed that 
she would die of fright. Her mother and father were in the 
next room, but there was a closed door between, and the dark 
way seemed to the child full of mysterious dangers. With a 
mighty effort she decided to attempt the dreaded journey. What 
if her father should laugh at her fears, or sleepily send her 
back? But no; she was sure that if she could reach his side 
she was safe. The distance conquered, with choking voice she 
awakened him, and gave him a confused account of her trouble. 
Shall she ever forget the sudden relief and comfort when, in 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 79 

a moment, the little trembling figure was folded close in her 
father's strong, loving arms, and his tender voice came like balm 
to her strained senses: "Just stay here as long as you please, 
my darling; nothing shall hurt you; it was only a dream!" 

And the child, with perfect trust, was soon asleep. She was 
too young to analyze the feeling, but this father was to her the 
human representation of the Fatherhood of God. It was one 
of those little things which mean so much to children. 

Later the desire of her heart was a rocking-chair. Her birth- 
day arrived. Her keen eyes had, alas ! seen no package which 
the wildest imagination could construe into a chair. Yet scarcely 
was breakfast over when, looking out of the window towards 
the front gate, she saw a beautiful little rocking-chair being car- 
ried in by her father. He had waited until after dark the eve- 
ning before to take it from the shop to a near neighbor's, for 
fear the surprise might not be complete. 

God pity the home where the father of the flock and the 
trusted husband of a loving wife pretends to be too busy to 
gratify the children in the "little things" of childhood. But may 
heavenly blessings and all honor be given to the man who realizes 
the true blessings of his children and the companionship of a 
true wife — the queen of his home and the perfume of his domes- 
tic joy. 



THE POOR DYING GIRL. 

I went once to see a dying girl whom the world had roughly 
treated. She never had a father, she never knew her mother. 
Her home had been the poor-house, her couch a hospital cot, 
and yet, as she had staggered in her weakness there, she had 
picked up a little of the alphabet, enough to spell out the New 
Testament, and she had touched the hem of the Master's gar- 
ment, and had learned the new song. And I never trembled in 
the presence of majesty as I did in the majesty of her presence 
as she came near the crossing. "Oh ,sir !" she said, "God sends 
his angels. I have read in his word : 'Are they not ministering 
spirits, spent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of sal- 
vation?' And when I am leaning in my cot, they stand about 
me on this floor ; and this poor side aches so severely, he comes, 
for he says, 'Lo I am with you,' and I sleep, I rest." 



So Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

A TEACHER'S CREED. 

I believe in boys and girls, the men and women of a great 
to-morrow ; that whatsoever the boy soweth the man shall reap. 
I believe in the curse of ignorance, in the efficacy of schools, in 
the dignity of teaching, and the joy of serving another. 1 be- 
lieve in wisdom as revealed in human lives as well as in the 
pages of a printed book; in lessons taught not so much by pre- 
cept as by example; in ability to work with the hands as well 
as to think with the head ; in everything that makes life large 
and lovely. I believe in beauty in the schoolroom, in the home, 
in daily life and out-of-doors. I believe in laughter, in love, in 
all ideals and distant hopes that lure us on. I believe that every 
hour of every day we receive a just reward for all we are and 
do. I believe in the present and its opportunities, in the future 
and its promises, and in the divine joy of living. 



LINCOLN'S PROMISE. 

While a member of Congress Abraham Lincoln was once 
criticised by a friend for his seeming rudeness in declining to 
test the rare wines provided by their host. The friend said to 
him: "There is certainly no danger of a man of your years 
and habits of becoming addicted to the use of wine." 

"I mean no disrespect, John," answered Lincoln, "but I 
promised my precious mother only a few days before she died 
that I would never use anything intoxicating as a beverage, 
and I consider that promise as binding to-day as it was the day 
I gave it." 

"But," the friend continued, there is a great difference be- 
tween a child surrounded by a rough class of drinkers and a 
man in a home of refinement." 

"A promise is a promise forever," answered Lincoln, "and 
when made to a mother it is doubly binding." 



I SHALL NOT WANT. 

"The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want." 
I shall not want rest. "He maketh me to lie down in green 
pastures." 

I shall not want drink. "He leadeth me beside the still wa- 
ters." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 8i 

I shall not want forgiveness. **He restoreth my soul." 

I shall not want guidance. "He leadeth me in the paths of 

righteousness, for His name's sake." 

I shall not want companionship. "Yea, though I walk through 

the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou 

art with me." 

I shall not want comfort. "Thy rod and thy staff they com- 
fort me." 

I shall not want food. "Thou preparest a table before me in 

the presence of mine enemies." 

I shall not want joy. "Thou anointest my head with oil." 

I shall not want anything. "My cup runneth over." 

I shall not want anything in this life. "Surely goodness and 

mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." 

I shall not want anything in eternity. "And I will dwell in 

the house of the Lord forever." 



■^ 



ENCOURAGE THE GOOD. 

Every man is a king in some particular, be it ever so small. 
There is a good spot in the very worst of criminals. When you 
discover a weakness in your friend don't exaggerate it by dis- 
cussion of what a pure-souled fellow Jones or Brown is ; man 
doesn't like to be forever preached to, because he intuitively knows 
that his friend-preacher has faults of his own. Praise his good 
traits and he will become so ashamed of the bad ones that he 
will shed them like water from a duck's back. Comparisons 
make more enemies than friends. Water a flower and it grows ; 
cultivate a man's good traits and they flourish. Every man has 
good in him which can be made to regenerate his whole being. 
Some thieves would shrink from murder ; some liars would 
cower from the thought of stealing; some tattlers of tales would 
scorn the thought that they are liars; so it is with all mankind, 
for each of us has some little fault which hangs its head in mis- 
ery when brought to notice the greater faults. 



AN APOSTROPHE TO THE MOUNTAINS. 

Mountains! who was your builder? Who laid your mighty 
foundation on the central fires, and piled your rocks and snow- 
capped summits among the clouds? Who placed you in the 
gardens of the world, like noble altars, on which to offer the 
sacrificial gifts of many nations? 



82 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Who reared your rocky walls in the barren desert, like tow- 
ering pyramids, like monumental mounds, like giants' graves, 
like dismantled piles of royal ruins, telling a mournful tale of 
glory, once bright, but now fled forever, as flee the dreams of a 
midsummer's night? Who gave you a home in the islands of the 
sea — those emeralds that gleam among the waves — those stars 
of ocean that mock the beauty of the stars of night? 

Mountains ! I know who built you. It was God ! His name is 
written on your foreheads. He laid your corner-stones on that 
glorious morning when the orchestra of Heaven sounded the 
anthem of creation. He clothed your high_, imperial forms in 
royal robes. 

He gave you a snowy garment, and wove for you a cloudy 
veil of crimson and gold. He crowned you with a diadem of 
icy jewels; pearls from the Arctic seas; gems from the frosty 
pole. Mountains ! ye are glorious. 



•^ 



ILLUSIONS. 

0"e of the illusions of men is that if they live with God and 
do right they will suff^er — suffer from want of the needed 
material blessings of this world. Indeed, the truth is if a man 
does not live with the All Good and do right, he is bound to 
suffer sooner or later. Under ah circumstances do that which 
you believe to be right and trust the Law; trust the Divine 
Power that is immanent in the universe, and it will never desert 
you, and you will always be protected. By such a trust all 
your losses will be converted into gains, and all curses which 
threaten will be transmuted into blessings. This is the only sure 
way to the truly prosperous and happy state. Do not believe 
the world when it tells you that you must always attend to number 
one first, and to others afterwards. This is a low, mean, selfish 
thought that in a little while will cause you to be deserted by 
all. To consider oneself before all others, is to cramp and warp 
and hinder every noble and divine impulse. Let your soul ex- 
pand, let your heart reach out to others in loving and generous 
warmth, and great and lasting will be your joy, and all pros- 
perity will come to you. 



The boy who succeeds must be willing to do a little more if 
possible than his employer requires of him. 



'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 83 

A GOOD REFERENCE. 

John was fifteen, and very anxious to get a desirable place 
in the office of a well-known lawyer, who had advertised for a 
boy, but doubted his success because, being a stranger in the 
city, he had no reference to present. 

"I'm afraid I'll stand a poor chance," he thought, despon- 
dently ; ''however, I'll try and appear as well as I can, for that 
may help me a little." 

So he was careful to have his dress and person neat, and 
when he took his turn to be interviewed, went in with his hat 
in his hand, and a smile on his face. 

The keen-eyed lawyer glanced him over from head to foot. 

"Good face," he thought, "and pleasant ways." 

Then he noted the neat suit — but other boys appeared in new 
clothes — saw the well-brushed hair, and clean-looking skin. Very 
well, but there had been others here quite as cleanly; another 
glance, however, showed the finger-nails free from soil. 

"Ah! that looks like thoroughness," thought the lawyer. 

Then he asked a few direct, rapid questions, which John 
answered as directly. 

"Prompt," was his mental comment ; can speak up when 
necessary. Let's see your writing," he added, aloud. 

John took the pen and wrote his name. 

"Very well, easy to read, and no flourishes. Now, what ref- 
erences have you?" 

The dreaded question at last ! 

John's face fell. He had begun to feel some hope of success, 
but this dashed it again. 

"I haven't any references," he said, with hesitation, "but 
here's a letter from mother I just received. I wish you would 
read it." 

The lawyer took it. It was a short letter. 

"My dear John : — I want to remind you that wherever you 
find work you must consider that work your own. Don't go 
into it, as some boys do, with the feeling that you will do as 
little as you can, and get something better soon ; but make up 
your mind you will do as much as possible, and make yourself 
so necessary to your employer that he will never let you go ! 

"You have ueen a good son to me, and I can truly say I have 
never known you to shirk. Be as good in business, and I am 
sure God will bless your efforts !" 

"H'm," said the lawyer, reading over the second time, "that's 
pretty good advice, John — excellent advice ! I rather think I'll 
try you, even without the references !" 

John has been with him five years, and last spring was ad- 
mitted to the bar. 

"Do you intend taking that young man into partnership?" 
asked a friend lately. 



84 t Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

"Yes, I do. I couldn't get along without John; he is my 
right-hand man !" exclaimed the employer heartily. 

And John always says, the best reference he ever had was 
a mother's good advice and honest praise. 



SELFISHNESS. 

Friends, do you ever stop long enough to realize that selfish- 
ness is one of the greatest sins of human life? 

Many a so-called Christian seems to be so selfish that he is 
afraid some one might steal his smile or might catch a pleasant 
ray of light from his face. Stingy ! Selfish ! Little ! Narrow ! 
Some folks never smile when any one is present, much less 
laugh. Why, it seems to them it would be a crime to laugh. 
Yes, sir ! I've seen 'em. Cheerfulness ! Why, they don't 
know exactly what the word means. Poor creatures. Oh, 
they are so narrow. Some folks are so narrow that 
they wear a long face seven days in the week and regret 
that they can't wear it eight days in one week. God pity any 
selfish person who is a stranger to laughter, smiles and cheer- 
fulness. It is hoped that Time, the great healer and light bringer, 
will by and by lift the mists which at present obscure their 
faith, and will enable them to see that he serves God best and 
most fully who lives not merely with the expectation of a home 
in heaven, but who serves God and his fellow men here and now, 
and who is not too narrow to mix a few smiles with their re- 
ligion. 



IN HIS PRESENCE. 

The fluttering of wings cannot carry the bird aloft if the feet 
are tied to the ground. 

You cannot abide in Christ's presence till freed from the 
shackles of sin — and He alone can free you. Let us commune 
with our Father. 

The spirituality of Christ arose from His constant commun- 
ion with the Father, to whom He continually referred. The 
oneness with the Father, which He enjoyed, He prayed should 
be the choicest blessing of His disciples. Therefore, when we 
would see Jesus, to the secret place we go. The simplicity of 
private devotions is their charm. We read from the Psalms, or 
from the words of Christ, or better still, from, both, and we kneel 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 85 

and offer a short personal prayer, such a prayer as we would 
not care to say before the world. 

The secret sins must be confessed, the secret sorrow made 
known, the loved ones committed to the Father's care, then 
after a moment of silence for the communion beyond words, 
and the prayer too sacred for utterance, we may sit with the 
Son of God. The burden of sin is gone, the fatigue of this 
world is shared by Christ, the gentle stillness of entire peace 
pervades our being, as we realize how very near we are to God. 
Like the shadow of a great rock in a desert land, like the shelter 
of a great tree on a vast plain, like a cool draught from a sweet 
spring, like the first flower and the never-to-be-forgotten moment 
of every life, is the secret presence of the Most High God. 



BE SATISFIED. 

Be an optimist. Those who bring things to pass are optimists. 
Keep your standard high and do your level best to attain it. 
Above all things see that good cheer exists. Be happy at your 
work and give the best that is in you. There is a surfeit of 
pessimistic and unprofitable people on the market of the world. 
What is needed now is men who have constructive ideas and who 
can honestly deliver the goods. Such people include every one 
from the highest executive down to the one who performs the 
lowliest service. All are necessarily parts and parcels of the 
great machine known as human prosperity, and those who do not 
perform their duty serve the puropse of clogging the machine 
and of making its operation more difficult. Keep out of your 
mind the thought that you could do better if you were some- 
where else. This is an illusion which brings discontent, dissatis- 
faction and a resultant lack of progress. 



LOVE'S FIRST SERVICE. 

Love's first thought is a thought of service. Love's first 
question is, What can I do for the loved one? or What can I 
give? not What can I get? Herein is the difference between 
friendship-love — love that is pure and true — and craving love. 
In any true friendship, he who is a friend is more desirous of 
giving than of getting, of being a friend than of having a friend, 
of loving than of being loved. It is the same with a lover, or 
with a husband. If he thinks more of the happiness he hopes 
to gain than of the love it is not of the sort it should be — it is 
not of the sort that is sure of success in its pursuit. 



86 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

MOTHER AT PRAYER. 

"Once," says a writer, 'T suddenly opened the door of my 
mother's room and saw her on her knees and heard her speak 
my name in prayer. I quickly and quietly withdrew with a feel- 
ing of awe and reverence in my heart. Soon I went away from 
home to school, then to college, then into life's sterner duties. 
But I never forgot that one glimpse of my mother at prayer, 
nor the one word — my own name — which I heard her utter. Well 
did I know that what I had seen that day was but a glimpse 
of what was going on every day in that sacred closet of prayer, 
and the consciousness strengthened me a thousand times in duty, 
in danger, and in struggle." 



IMPREGNABLE CASTLES. 

It is not enough to put on a bold face and try to look brave. 
There is little good in saying, "There is no danger," when we 
know well that there is danger. Our Lord did not give peace 
to His disciples by telling them that it would always be smooth 
sailing for them. He gave peace by assuring them of the un- 
failing divine presence in times of peril. He said, *Tn the world 
ye shall have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have over- 
come the world." 

The forests in summer days are full of birds' nests. They 
are hidden among the leaves. The little birds know where they 
are ; and when a storm arises, or when night draws on, they fly 
each to his own nest. So the promises of God are hidden in 
the Bible, like nests in the great forests ; and thither we should 
fly in any danger or alarm, hiding there in our soul's nest until 
the storms be overpast. There are no castles in this world so 
impregnable as the words of Christ. 



-Jf- 



SOWING SEED. 

Mabel dropped a few flower seeds into the ground, and little 
leaves soon began to peep up and grow ; they liked the air and 
sunshine so well that they were very big in a month or two. 
Then came buds and beautiful flowers. And the flowers blos- 
somed all summer long, and the old ladies over the way had a 
bunch to brighten their room nearly every day. 

Mabel's mother kept dropping kind word-seeds into every- 
body's heart. Mabel watched these seeds grow. They blossomed 
into comfort and love, and bright faces, and smiles. 

"I'll plant kind word-seeds, too; see if I don't," said Mabel. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold Sy 

SOME BIBLE "IFS." 

"If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellow- 
ship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son 
cleanseth us from all sin." 

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask 
what ye will and it shall be done unto you." 

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." 

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, 
even as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his 
love." 

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." 

"If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly 
and the sinner appear?" 

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracle of God; 
if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God 
giveth : that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus 
Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever." 

"If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but 
let him glorify God on this behalf." 

"If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not 
his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is 
vain." 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us 
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

"If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; if thou forsake 
him, he will cast thee off forever." 

"If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." 

"If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." 

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own ; 
but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth 
you." 

"If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him." 

"If a man say I love God and hateth his brother, he is a 
liar ; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how 
can he love God whom he hath not seen?" 



TEACHING NUGGETS. 

If He is your guide His home will be your goal. 

The Lord's sheep are for the Lord's service and sacrifice. 

Whatever He does for His name's sake will be good for our 
name. 

There is no strength to the life that knows no quiet places. 

The lying down is always harder to learn the leading forth. 

There are too many who make it read, "The Lord is my shep- 
herd; I will not work." 



88 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

We come to the best knowledge of what God will do for us 
by what we have done for others. 

Lying down in green pastures is but to gain strength for 
going forward into desert ways. 

There's a good deal of difference between *1 shall not want," 
and "1 shall have whatever I want." 

There are two ways of being sure of the road; one is to 
know it yourself, the other to know your guide. 

Many of us want to lie down when God would lead us on, 
and climb when he would have us lie down. 



THE LAST TEAR. 

When Haldane, that eminent servant of the Lord, sat by the 
dying bed of his wife, as he closed her eyes a single tear gushed 
out and ran down upon her pale face. He said, "I wiped it 
away, and I thought, "It is the last one, for God shall wipe away 
all tears from their eyes." 

We have not yet seen the end of our weeping, but how often 
we weep for those who shall weep no more. Our tears are still 
flowing, theirs are forever dried. Our hearts are still sad, but 
for them there are no more heart pangs or sadness. Our paths 
are beset with thorns, and hedged in with the briars of the wil- 
derness, but they shall never tread its desert wastes again. 
Blessed are they who reach such rest as this, and who come thru 
all the storms and sorrows of this dreary world, to the calm 
brightness of the eternal day where the sun shall no more go 
down, nor the moon withdraw its shining, in that land where no 
enemy shall ever come, and from which no friends shall ever 
go away. 

Here we may sow in tears, there we shall reap in joy; here 
our hearts may be heavy with griefs we cannot tell, but there 
grief and anxiety and trouble and temptation shall be unknown ; 
and there shall remain for us the days of peace, and rest, of tear- 
less gladness, and of everlasting joy. 



UNSELFISH GLADNESS. 

The backyard had taken on a highly military aspect. There 
were soldiers with broomsticks, an officer with wooden sword, 
a proud boy with a flag too large for him, and a *'band" with a 
gayly painted drum, which he was beating furiously. Only little 
Robbie sat forlornly on the steps and looked on. A treacherous 
bit of glass had disabled his foot, and he could not keep up with 
the army. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 89 

"I can do nothing," he said, disconsolately. 

"Yes, you can," answered Captain Fred. "You can hurrah 
when the rest go by." 

So the little fellow kept his post, watching thru all the march- 
ing and counter-marching, often left quite alone while the troop 
traveled in another direction, but he never failed to swing his 
small cap and raise his shrill cheer when they appeared. 

The others were playing hero, but he was much nearer to 
being a real one. It is not easy to feel like hurrahing for those 
who can go forward where we must stop, to forget our own dis- 
appointment in cheering those who are doing what we long to 
do and cannot, and to rejoice in the success of those who are 
filling the place we wanted for ourselves. To bewail our help- 
lessness, to grow bitter and serious because of it, is natural, but 
it takes high courage and sweetness to stand aside and "cheer 
while the rest go by." 



GOD'S LOVE: NOT OURS. 

When the physician says : "Go out of doors, live in the sun- 
shine," we know what he means. We have not to create the 
sunshine, we have only to step out in it ; it is already here with 
its beauty and warmth, and we have only to let it do its life- 
giving work. But when the Great Physician bids us live in His 
love, we somehow feel that the love is some flame we are to 
kindle in our own hearts and keep burning, and we are filled 
with anxious watchfulness. 

It is His love — the great warming, comforting sunlight — in 
which we are to live without doubt or fear. It is not of our 
making, it is beyond our measuring or quenching. It is here 
now, flooding the world around us, and we have only to open 
our hearts and lives to its joy instead of turning our steps into 
the shadows. 

X 



A SUNNY FACE. 

Wear it. It is your privilege. It has the quality of mercy; 
it is twice blessed. It blesses the possessor and all who come 
under its benign influence ; it is a daily boon to him who wears 
it and a constant, ever-flowing benediction to all his friends. Men 
and women, youth and children, seek the friendship of the sunny- 
faced. All doors are opened to those who smile. All social circles 
welcome cheeriness. A sunny face is an open sesame to heart 
and home. By it burdens are lightened, cares dispelled, sorrows 



90 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

banished, and hope made to reign triumphant where fear, doubt, 
and despondence held high carnival. 

Get the glow and radiance from such nearness to the throne 
as God permits to his own. Bring from a holy and divine com- 
munion a face luminous with light, and let it glow and shine 
on all around. A little child on the street of a great city, 
wishing to cross at a pomt where the surging throng and the 
passing vehicles made the feat dangerous to the strong and es- 
pecially to the weak, paused, hesitated, and asked a sunny faced 
gentleman to carry her across. It was the sunny face that won 
the child's confidence. 



THE PRINTER BOY. 

In the year 1725 an American boy about nineteen years old, 
found himself in London, where he was under the necessity of 
earning his bread. 

He was not like many young men in these days, who wander 
about seeking work, and who are "willing to do anything," be- 
cause they know how to do nothing; but he had learned how to 
do something, and knew just where to go to find something to 
do. So he went straight to a printing-office, and inquired 
whether he could get employment. 

"Where are you from?" inquired the foreman. 

"America," was the answer. 

"Ah," said the foreman, "from America! a lad from America 
seeking emplo^'^ment as a printer ! Well, do you really under- 
stand the art of printing? Can you set type?" 

The young man stepped to one of the cases, and in a brief 
space set up the following passage from the first chapter of John : 

"Nathaniel said unto him. Can there be any good thing 
come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." 

It was done so quickly, so accurately, and administered a deli- 
cate reproof so appropriate and powerful, that it at once gave 
him influence and standing with all in the office. 

He worked diligently at his trade, refused to drink beer 
and strong drink, saved his money, returned to America, became 
a printer, publisher, author, postmaster-general, member of Con- 
gress, signer of the Declaration of Independence, ambassador 
to royal courts, and finally died in Philadelphia, April 17, 1790, 
at the age of eis^hty-four, full of years and honors; and that 
printer boy was Benjamin Franklin — a manly boy who loved his 
mother's Bible — a noble man whose name brightens pages of his- 
tory. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 91 

"OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN." 

How many of us use these words at mother's knee night and 
morning, and yet scarcely realize what we are saying? "Our 
Father" — our very own Father — who has made the earth with its 
sunshine and flowers, its trees and song-birds for our enjoyment, 
and to whom we can go with every little trouble ! Little people 
are apt to think that their affairs are too small to be told to the 
Heavenly Father, but anything that is big enough to trouble the 
child is big enough to claim the Father's attention. 

A little boy who had a very bad earthly father once lay dying. 
The lady who sat beside him trying to soothe his pain, bent over 
him, and laying her hand upon his forehead, said : 

"Never mind, dear, you will soon be with Jesus and with your 
Father in Heaven." A shiver of fear passed over the worn 
little figure, his face was streaked with terror as he raised his 
eyes piteously to his friends and asked, 

"Will He beat me?" To him the word "father" only meant 
curses and blows. Tears rushed to the lady's eyes as she told 
him that this Father loved him and would soon take him up to 
be with Himself forever, and a light spread over the small face 
as tho' what she said was almost too good to be true. A Fa- 
ther who would be kind to him ! That would be Heaven indeed. 

A great man who brought a wonderful reformation in the 
world once said that the best name by which we can think of God 
is Father. So, as we say the prayer which the Lord Jesus taught 
us, let us think while we repeat it, of our Father who is in 
Heaven, and realize that His care is over us every moment of 
our lives. 



WEARY WOMEN. 

Nothing is more reprehensible and thoroughly wrong than the 
idea that a woman fulfills her duty by doing an amount of work 
that is far beyond her strength. She not only does not fulfill 
her duty, but she signally fails in it; and the failure is truly 
deplorable. There can be no sadder sight than that of a broken- 
down, overworked wife and mother — a woman that is tired all 
her life. If the work of the household can not be accomplished 
by order, system, and moderate work, without the necessity of 
wearing, heart-breaking toil, toil that is never ended and ever be- 
gun, without making life a treadmill of labor, then, for the sake 
of humanity, let the work go. Better hve in the midst of dis- 
order than that order should be purchased at so high a price the 
cost of health, strength, happiness, and all that makes life endur- 
able. 



92 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

The woman, who spends her life in unnecessary labor is un- 
fitted for the highest duties of home. She should be the haven 
of rest to which both husband and children turn for peace and re- 
freshment. She should be the careful, intelligent adviser and 
guide of the one, the tender confidant and helpmate of the 
other. How is it possible for a woman exhausted in body, as 
a natural consequence in mind also, to perform either of these 
ofifices? No; it is not possible. The constant strain is too 
great. Nature gives way beneath it. She loses health and 
spirits and hopefulness, and, more than all, her youth — the last 
thing that a v/oman should allow to slip from her; for no mat- 
ter how old she is in years, she should be young in heart and 
feeling, for the youth of age is sometimes more attractive than 
youth itself. 

To the overworked woman this green old age is out of the 
question : old age comes on her, sere and yellow, before it is 
time. Her disposition is ruined, her temper is soured, and her 
very nature is changed by the burden which, too heavy to carry, 
is dragged along as long as wearied feet and tired hands can do 
their part. Even her affections are blunted, and she becomes 
merely a machine — a woman without time to be womanly — a 
mother without the time to train and guide her children as only 
a mother can — a wife without the time to sympathize with ana 
cheer her husband, a woman so overworked during the day that 
when night comes her sole thought and most intense longing 
are for the rest and sleep that very probably will not come, and 
even if it should, that she is too tired to enjoy. Better by far 
let everything go unfinished, to live as best she can, than to 
-^ntail on herself the curse of overwork. 



■^ 



DONTS FOR MOTHERS OF BOYS. 

Don't keep nagging your boy. 

Don't treat your boy as a hardened criminal if you discover 
him in sin. 

Don't forget that if you make your boy think he is going to 
the devil he won't be likely to disappoint you, but by treating 
him like a gentleman you will do much toward making him one. 

Don't deny your boy the healthful restraining influence of 
plenty of out door sports and athletics. There is a whole sermon 
in the phrase, "Muscular Christianity.** 

Don't make his room a sort of junkshop for the odds and 
ends of furniture, too shabby or old-fashioned to be used any- 
where else in the house. 

Don't be above apologizing to your boy, if occasion arises. 
He will honor you for it. 

Don't have a thing in the house too good for him to enjoy 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 93 

and share with yon, and don't make him use the back stairs in 
order to save the front hall carpet. 

Don't shut him entirely out of the confidential talks concern- 
ing home, business and neighborhood affairs, but teach him to 
respect the confidence. 



■^ 



THE BETTER WAY. 

Live in the cheerful world, even if you have to create such a 
world in your own imagination. Resolve to be happy, regardless 
of what comes ; you cannot afford to be otherwise. Count every- 
thing joy; meet everything in joy; and expect everything to give 
you joy. 

By creating a cheerful world in your own imagination you 
develop the tendency to a sunny disposition ; and by meeting 
everything in the attitude of joy you will soon meet only those 
things that produce joy. 

Like attracts like. Much sunshine will gather more sun- 
shine; and the happiest mind meets the most delightful experi- 
ences. 

When exceptions occur, pass them by as of no consequence; 
because they are of no consequence to you. It is happy events 
only that you desire to meet ; therefore, there is no reason why 
you should pay any attention to the other kind. It is a fact that 
the less attention we pay to unpleasant conditions the less un- 
pleasantness we shall meet in life. 

The person who looks for the disagreeable, and expects to 
find it in most places, will certainly find what he is looking for. 
On the other hand, the person who expects only the pleasant will 
seldom find anything else. We attract what we think of the most. 

There is no better medicine than cheerfulness ; especially for 
the digestive functions and the circulation. Keep your mind 
full of a living joy, and your circulation will be strong in every 
fibre of your being. 

A strong, full circulation is one of the secrets of perfect 
health ; and since it can be attained so easily, everybody can have 
perfect health. 

X 



MABEL'S THANK OFFERING. 

"O mama," said Mabel, one morning, "I want a nickel just 
so bad." 

"What would you do with it, my dear?" questioned the 
mother. 

"I'd buy some of those nice chocolates I saw in Mr. Seyb's 
restaurant yesterday," replied Mabel. "They did look so good.'* 



94 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

"Well, since my little girl has helped her mama so well this 
morning, she shall have the nickel." 

Mabel jumped up and down with delight, and in a few mo- 
ments she was hurrying up the street with the money tightly 
clasped in her right hand. When she returned her face was all 
aglow, but she had no chocolates. 

"Why, Mabel, where's your candy?" asked her mother. "You 
surely saved mama a piece?" 

"I didn't buy any, mama," explained Mabel, her cheeks dimp- 
ling with a smile. "Just before I got to the restaurant I came 
up to a blind man standing on the street begging. I heard him 
say : 'O God, if I could only see your beautiful world, how happy 
I'd be !' Then I thought of what our teacher said. She told us 
to give a thank offering this week to some one who didn't have 
some blessing we had, so I just dropped the nickel into his cup. 
When he thanked me, somehow I had such a sweet, good feeling 
in my heart that I didn't want any chocolates." 

Then Mabel's mother couldn't help but kiss her happy little 
girl, and tell her how glad she was that she had made the thank 
offering. 

Mabel's soul is the kind that makes an angel. 

There are souls in the world who have the gift of finding 
joy everywhere, and of leaving it behind them when they go. 
Joy gushes from under their fingers like jets of light. Their 
influence is an inevitable gladdening of the heart. It seems as 
if a shadow of God's own gift had passed upon them. They 
give light without meaning to shine. These bright hearts have a 
great work to do for God. 



^ 



FAITHFULNESS. 

Those who are faithful to the end will receive their reward. 
It is something hard to be faithful, but our character is built by 
faithfully resisting evil temptations. 

The slightest departure from rectitude will mar the luster 
of the noblest character. If only you could see — you whose char- 
acters are now forming — the power, the beauty, the attractive 
loveliness of an unselfish life ! That ideal life lived by the Son 
of God for us, "leaving us an example," that we should follow 
His footsteps. His life is the key to all true living. When we 
study that life in its beauty and become imbued with His Spirit, 
life is no longer a dark problem, but its perplexities are solved. 
How it simplifies the Christian life when we learn that it is not 
doing "some great thing," our Lord desires of us; but just abid- 
ing in Him and doing, each day the work He gives us to do faith- 
fully and patiently. It is faithfulness that counts. "He that is 
faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 95 

Your work may be just nurturing those tender, motherless 
Iambs whose Httle hands are clinging to yours, holding them 
back from the prize they are so eager to grasp. Or it may be 
ministering to that home-sick saint in the arm-chair — she with 
the snowy wreath falling on the brow so soon to wear a fadeless 
crown — and oh, let me whisper to you, you cannot be too tender 
and patient in your loving ministrations, for the time may soon 
come when you shall crave the privilege that now is yours. Or 
it may be it is your mission to care for some one whom you 
consider unworthy, and you may feel the sacrifice too great. 
There may be a conflict between duty and pleasure. But before 
breaking away from this that is holding you back from your 
desire, ask counsel of Him who "came not to be ministered to, 
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom" for the sinful. 

It may be the angel of a glorious opportunity is there, and 
from the heavenly battlements pure spirits are watching, eager 
to record the victory of love for Christ over self. 

There is a cross in every path, but for every cross there is an 
immortal crown. Your eyes are too dim to see it now ; you only 
feel the weight of the cross — and all the brightness has faded 
out of your life, and all the music in your heart seems dead; 
but afterward, when the storm has spent its fury, the song-birds 
of Beulah will awake and you will see the "Bow of promise" 
shining through your tears, for "Weeping may endure for a 
night, but joy cometh in the morning." 



^ 



WHAT IS TRUE FORGIVENESS? 

Is forgiveness a formal act expressed by the lips, or Is it an 
expression of the heart and soul from within? When God for- 
gives a man is it simply form, or does God forgive and then 
thereafter act as if there never had been an occasion for for- 
giveness? How does a mother forgive her child which, having 
done wrong, asks for pardon? Does she say, "I forgive you," 
and then thereafter pass the child unnoticed, or does she forgive 
in deed and in truth, and love the child as much as if the little 
one never had given an occasion for offence? Does the mother 
say, "I forgive my child, but I can never forget the offence," 
or does she, like a true mother, pick the little one up in her 
arms and kiss forgiveness into her darling child? How would 
we want God our heavenly Father to forgive us? How would 
we want our parents to forgive us? How should we forgive 
those who trespass against us and who ask for our forgiveness? 

If God answered the prayer of a great many people just as 
they pray, they would find themselves in a sad plight ; for they 
pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tres- 
pass against us," and yet they themselves refuse to forgive their 



96 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

enemies. What inconsistencies. What wretched measuring rods 
some people would make for themselves did God deal with them 
according to their own measurements ! 

It would do many good to reflect a bit more conscientiously 
before they refuse true forgiveness, for "if ye refuse to forgive 
men their trespasses, how shall you expect your heavenly Father 
to forgive your your man}' sins? With what measure ye mete, it 
shall be measured again unto you." 

¥: 



STRENGTHENED BY PRAYER. 

True prayer ever uplifts the life. 

We should always be better after even a few moments with 
our Master. No day is well begun which is not begun with 
Christ. When, during an engagement, Wellington had given one 
of his officers a perilous duty to perform, the officer held out 
his hand to his commander, saying. "Let me have the clasp 
of your conquering hand before I go," and then went forth 
bravely to fulfill his command. As we go into any new day we 
need the clasp of the Master's hand to inspire and nerve us for 
the tasks, the duties, the struggles, and the dangers of the day. 
The morning devotions, if they are really talks with Jesus, make 
us braver, stronger and truer for the whole day. 

Prayer brings Christ into all our life. It holds us continually 
under the power of his grace. It inspires us ever to seek better 
things. It makes us strong for duty and struggle. It sweetens 
our spirit, it calms our fears, it cheers us for the roughest way, 
it helps us to be victorious over all that would hinder or hurt 
us. 

X 



SING! SING! SING! 

We can sing away our cares easier than we can reason them 
away. The birds are the earliest to sing in the morning; the 
birds are more without care than anything else I know of. Sing 
in the evening. Singing is the last thing that robins do. When 
they have done their daily work, when they have flown their last 
flight, and picked up their last morsel of food, and cleansed their 
bills on a napkin of a bough, then on a top twig they sing one 
song of praise. I know they sleep sweeter for it. They dream 
music, for sometimes in the night they break forth in singing, and 
stop suddenly after the first note, startled by their own voice. 

Oh, that we might sing evening and morning, and let song 
touch song all the way through ! Oh, that we could put songs 
under Our burdens ! Oh, that we could extract the sense of sor- 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 97 

row by song! Then these things would not poison so much. 
Sing in the house — teach your children to sing. When troubles 
come, go at them with songs. When griefs arise, sing them 
down. Lift the voice of praise against cares. Praise God by 
singing that will lift you above trials of every sort. Attempt it. 
They sing in heaven, and among God's people on earth song is 
the appropriate language of Christian feeling. 



HUMAN SUNSHINE. 

Next to the sunlight of heaven is the sunlight of a happy 
face. 

It may be a very little face — one that we nestle upon our 
bosom or sing to sleep in our arms with a lullaby. 

It may be a wrinkled face, but it is all the dearer for that, 
and all the brighter. We linger near it and love to look upon 
it and say, "Heaven bless this happy face !" We must keep it 
with us as long as we can, for home will lose much of its bright- 
ness when that face is gone. 

It may be a very plain face, but there is something in it which 
lifts it above homeliness of features in the beauty of the soul 
shining thru. There is a world of magic in the plain, cheerful 
face! 



CONSOLATION. 

I saw a mourner standing at eventide over the grave of one 
dearest to him on earth. The memory of joys that were past 
came crowding on his soul. "And is this," said he, "all that 
remains of one so loved and so lovely? I call, but no voice an- 
swers. Oh ! my loved one will not hear ! O, death I inexorable 
death! what hast thou done? Let me bow down and forget my 
sorrows in the slumber of the grave !" 

While he thought thus in agony, the gentle form of Chris- 
tianity came by. She bade him look upward, and to the eye of 
faith the heavens were disclosed. He heard the song and trans- 
port of the great multitude which no man can number around the 
throne. There were the spirits of the just made perfect — there, 
the spirit of her he mourned ! There happiness was pure, per- 
manent, perfect. The mourner then wiped the tears from his 
eyes, took courage, and thanked God : — "All the days of my ap- 
pointed time," said he, "will I wait till my change comes;" and 
he returned to the duties of life no longer sorrowing as those 
who have no hope. 



pS Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

THE ROSE. 

Night kissed the rose, and it bent softly to sleep. Stars 
shone and pure dewdrops hung upon its blushing bosom, and 
watched its pure slumbers. Morning came, with her dancing 
breezes ; and they whispered to the young rose, and it awoke, 
joyous and smiling. Then came the ardent sun god sweeping 
from the east, and he smote the young rose with his golden 
shaft and it fainted. Deserted, and almost heart-broken, it 
dropped to the dust in its loveliness and despair. 

Now the gentle breeze which had been gamboling over the 
sea, pushed on the light bark, sweeping over hill and dale, by 
the neat cottage and the still brook, fanning the fevered brow 
of disease, and the curl of innocent childhood, comes tripping 
along on the errands of mercy and love ; and when she hasted 
to kiss it, and fondly bathed its forehead in cool, refreshing 
showers, the young rose revived, looked up and smiled, flung 
its ruby arms as if in gratitude to embrace the breeze. But she 
hurried quickly away when her generous task was performed, 
yet not without reward ; for she perceived that the delicious 
fragrance had been poured on her wings by the grateful rose, 
and the kind breeze was glad in her heart, and went away sing- 
ing thru the trees. Thus charity, like the breeze which gathers 
fragrance from the humble flowers it refreshes, unconsciously 
reaps a reward in the performance of its offices of kindness and 
love, which steals thru the heart like a rich perfume, to bless and 
to cheer. 



A TRUE MOTHER. 

The jewel that shines brightest in the darkness. 

A stimulant to the nobler side of our nature. 

A volume of sympathy bound in cloth. 

A star of hope in the cloud of adversity. 

A link of gold in the chain of life. 

One who understands our silence. 

The essence of pure devotion. 

The sunshine of calamity. 

The Triple Alliance of the three great powers. Love, Sym- 
pathy and Help. 

A bank of credit on which we can draw supplies of confidence, 
counsel, sympathy, help and love. 

One who combines for you alike the pleasures and benefits of 
society and solitude. 

A jewel whose lustre the strong acids of poverty and misfor- 
tune cannot dim. 

^One who multiplies joys, divides griefs, and whose honesty 
is inviolable. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 99 

The link in life's long chain that bears the greatest strain. 
A harbor of refuge from the stormy waves of adversity. 
All of this and ten thousand times more, is a true mother. 



-Jt 

GOD IS EVERYWHERE. 

God's name is written in the clods upon which we tread, and 
the roughest flower that blows can give thoughts that do often 
lie too deep for tears. God has written upon the flower that 
sweetens the air, upon the breeze that rocks the flower upon its 
stem, upon the raindrops that swell the river, upon the dewdrops 
that refresh the smallest sprig of moss that rears its head in 
the desert, upon the ocean that rocks every swimmer in its 
channel, upon every penciled shell that sleeps in the caverns of 
the deep, as well as upon the mighty sun which warms and cheers 
the millions of creatures that live in its light. 

Take the wings of the morning and fly to the uttermost parts 
of the earth, and you will find that God is there. Go to the apex 
of the highest mountain at the break of day, and watch the sun 
as it throws its effulgent rays down the mountain side, over the 
hills, thru the valleys, and athwart the streams to the sea, and 
you will find that God is there. Gather a flower on the hill-side 
in the morning, with all the verdure round about, observe its 
symmetry and beauty, the variety of tint and color, drink in its 
delicious fragrance, and you will find that God is there. Go to 
the grand old forest at the twilight eve, and listen to the weird 
music of the wind as it plays through the rustling leaves, and 
you will find that God is there. Listen to the music of the birds 
in the early morn, as they sing an anthem of praise to the great 
sovereign of the universe, and you will find that God is there. 
Go to the promontory that leads to the sea and Hsten to the roar 
of the ocean as it breaks on the craggy coast, and note the waves 
as they run, sending their whitecaps toward the sky, and you 
will find that God is there. Remember that all that was, and all 
that is, and all that is to be, is God's. Therefore, see to it that 
you keep the temple of your soul clean, and your actions just, 
so when you arrive at your journey's end, and lie down to rest, 
you will be glad to find that God is there. 



HERE'S TO SUNNY JUNE. 

Here's to Summer's honeymoon! 
Of happy nights in June; 
Let the notes of Summer breeze 
Make its music in the trees — 
Where birds, love and song 
Help to cheer the world along. 



loo Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

This morning I heard the first Summer song of the warbhng 
birds, and methinks it was a refrain of welcome to "good old 
summer time." 

May the world unfold its June blossoms of joy and abide in 
the hearts of human kin. 

May June sunbeams melt the icebergs of every selfish heart; 
and may love, gentle as moonshine, make its abode in the human 
breast. 

Let me shut mine eyes and in the visions of the long ago, draw 
pictures of the rural life. Let me carry you to the vine-clad hills 
of Kent'icky and show you scenes grander than dreams and no- 
bler than fanciest sentiment. Let me wander back in these 
thoughts to my own boyhood where dreams of fame first clouded 
my unweary brain. Let me show you the picture of the plow- 
boy whose cheeks are like a rose, as he roams among the wild 
flowers and watches the bees gather honey from the clover blos- 
soms. Hear his merry "whoop" from the morning's early dawn 
'till the shadows of evening gather and the song birds cease to 
sing in the trees. Hear the crows "holler" and the nightingale 
sing. Hear the hooting owls after twilight, and the cricket's 
chirp beneath the hearth. 

Let us wander again in the meadow under the yellow moon- 
light where the lover gives the maiden a "big red apple" in- 
stead of a diamond ring. Let us wander in the pasture by the 
cottage where the morning-glories cling to the wall, and the 
robins sing among the apple blossoms. Instead of electric light, 
the moon shines through the cottage window and the tree-frogs 
make music in the garden. Let us wander on the sunlit hills 
and in the dreamy dells, where God carpets the earth with green 
mosses and vines and flowers. Let us drink at the clear foun- 
tains and stroll among the dells of the beautiful where nature 
rocks the cradle of statesmen, authors, poets and orators. Let 
us sing the songs of childhood and hear the banjo melodies of 
old. 

May the spring flowers hang not their heads in summer, and 
may cooing doves warble amidst laden bowers of ripe fruit and 
amidst waving fields of ripened grain. Plentiful ! be the harvest, 
beautiful ! be the fields, delicious ! be the fruit, golden ! be the 
grain, gladsome ! be the summer's song and happy ! be the heart 
of every reader, is my prayer. 

On the last day of May I whispered "adieu" to springtime. 
Now the joy-breezes of summer caress my brow with a new 
freshness — a new hope — for ere the summer birds have flown, 
I expect to be beneath the "sugar trees" near the cottage of my 
boyhood — to ramble amidst the cedars and white oaks — to once 
again behold the dew-kissed valleys and sunny hillsides of Ken- 
tucky, where I dreamt my boyhood dreams. My heart-beats 
quicken at the very thought — for soon I shall stroll beside the 
singing brook by which I sported and on which I sailed toy 
shios when but a boy. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold loi 

I thank Heaven every summer's day of my life that my lot 
was humbly cast within the hearing of romping brooks, and be- 
neath the shadow of oaks. And from all the tramp and bustle 
of the world into which fortune has led me in these latter years 
of my hfe, I delight to steal away for days, and for weeks 
together, and bathe my spirit in the freedom of the old woods ; 
and to grow young again, lying upon the brook-side, and count- 
ing the white clouds that sail along the sky softly and tranquilly 
— even as holy memories go stealing over the vault of life. 

Soon shall I lie where "soothing waters flow" — where I rev- 
elled in many a boyhood dream — but since the years have gently 
passed, I shall lie by the peaceful brook of my boyhood scene, in 
the thoughts of "a poet's dream" and in the splendor of manhood. 
Gladly shall I welcome those sacred scenes of blissful days and 
contented shall I sit in the valley of Solitude, with nothing float- 
ing past me, as I lie moored to my thought, but the perfum.e of 
flowers, and soaring birds, and shadows of clouds. 

What expectant joy! to drink again of a stream that babbled 
me to sleep in boyhood. Dear old stream ! unchanging, unfalter- 
ing — with no harsher notes now than then — never growing old — 
smiling in your silver rustle, and calming yourself in the broad, 
placid pools — I love you, as I love a friend. 



WOMAN AND THE HOME. 

Nothing so helps a woman through the long, weary days of 
work as the knowledge that what she does is appreciated by those 
she loves and for whom she toils. Think of this, husbands and 
fathers, and remember that a kind word is always in season. If 
on some morning, the coffee is a shade too brown to suit your 
taste, do not scold about it; and on every other morning when 
it is delicious, say so. Try this way, and you will find your cof- 
fee, and everything else, to your taste much oftener ; and besides, 
you will give the ones you ought to love best, the sweetest con- 
sciousness that they are doing the work well, and giving satis- 
faction to the one, of all others, they most desire to please — thus 
inspiring them with renewed energy to strive for the merited 
reward of kind appreciative words. And so shall an atmosphere 
of peace and sweet home happiness come to pervade the whole 
house, born into, nurtured into beautiful, fragrant buds — blos- 
soming by your own kind words and deeds. Let us all remember, 
too, that the higher and happier our home life, the more wisely 
and better we may hope to do the work that lies waiting for us 
beyond it. A pleasant place to "come home to" is the greatest 
energizer a man can have. Then let us strive with an earnest 
constant purpose to make and keep the home cheerful, inviting 
and pleasant 



102 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

DEAD SOULS. 

An old physician remarked lately: "There is no study in 
human nature so difficult to me as a certain class of young girls. 
I spent a part of this summer with two specimens of this class. 
They had the usual amount of capacity for observing, under- 
standing and feeling. They had been educated at much cost to 
their parents ; both were constant attendants at church. I saw 
nothing in their faces or bearing to argue that they were im- 
becile. Their mother was an invalid, nearing the grave. Noth- 
ing could be more touching than the patient, appealing gaze with 
which her eyes followed them, watching for some signal of af- 
fection; but they had eyes and thoughts for nothing but a gown 
they were making. They were used to her love, her illness, even 
to the thought of her death. I walked out with them through a 
great forest under the solemn stars. They saw no beauty, no 
sublimity in them. They chatted incessantly of the new trim- 
ming on their bonnets. They were used to the meaning of the 
trees and stars. The only thing apparently to which they were 
not used were the changes in ribbons, puffs and flounces. I 
went to church with them and listened to the great "Te Deum" 
which has come down to us through the ages, and lifted the 
hearts of countless worshipers to God. They nudged each other 
while they sang it, to look at a beaded cloak in the next pew. 
We physicians now test the temperature of a patient's body, 
and if we find it below a certain degree, know that death is al- 
ready in the heart. When I find so low a degree in the words, 
thoughts and actions of a human body, I begin to fear that the 
soul within is cold and dead beyond recall." 



KEEP YOUR PLACE. 

Great troubles arise from things getting out of their place, 
and one of the worst things out of place is a man. Yet nothing 
is more common than to see men who seem out of place. There 
are little men in big places, and there are big men in little places : 
there are round men in square places, and square men in round 
places ; there are ignorant men lording over men who are 
wiser than they; and bad men tyrannizing over men the latchet 
of whose shoes they are not worthy to stoop down and unloose ; 
there are rogues to whose custodv i<5 intrusted the property of 
widows and orphans; there are scoundrels who occupy positions 
of honor and responsibility; there are traitors who hold the 
reigns of government ; there are men of blameless lives, incor- 
ruptible and noble, who yet are distrusted and despised and re- 
jected of men. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 103 

It is a great thing for a Christian man to seek to know his 
place, to find out where God would have him be, and what God 
would have him do, and how he would have him conduct himself. 
There is some one place in the world, where, under Divine provi- 
dence, we may be most useful, and in the fullest sense a bless- 
ing to those around us. 



-36- 



AN INCIDENT. 

A young man who occupies pleasant rooms in a large city 
was entertaining a guest from his country home. 

"You see I honor my father and my mother," he said, point- 
ing to two portraits which hung in prominent positions on the 
walls of his sitting room. 

"You do in sentiment, Frank," answered his visitor; "but if 
you will forgive an old friend speaking plainly, your principles 
do not honor them to the same degree. These portraits have 
looked down on a good many card parties and wine suppers and 
wasted hours. They have seen neglected the work which you 
came to the city to do, and your old habits of 'plain living and 
high thinking' forgotten very often. Think it over, won't you?" 

The young man, it may be said, did think it over, and he did 
not need another such reminder. 

Be sure to eradicate the inconsistency between sentiment and 
conduct. 



A SOUTHERN SPRINGTIME WALK. 

God kissed the snow-covered mountain into tears with sun- 
shine, and flowers came in colored robes. God smiled and beau- 
tiful Spring appeared. 

For the time being, I am away from the lecture platform 
and waving audience, away from the roar of carriage wheels 
and horse's feet, away from the noise of the city street, away 
from the surging sway of humanity, — away from all this and am 
alone with nature and nature's God. 

I am strolling down the river bank near the old plantation. 
I see the brown-face farm-boy on horseback, riding to the field 
while the music of the trace chains jingles in the air. His merry 
whistle brings back memories of my boyhood, when I too was 
enjoying the bliss of the "plow-boy." 

The sun-god has awakened the sleeping rosebuds and cheered 
them into bloom. The earth is carpeted in green velvet, and the 
orchard is a blooming Eden. The bluebells nod to the daffodils, 
while soft breezes caress their brow. The feathered songsters 
join in voices of melody to gladden all within their joyous sound. 



104 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

The green meadows, growing fields and beautiful landscapes 
beautify our sentiment and broaden our view. 

The rising sun shoots long slanting rays of gold across the 
dew-jeweled garden; resting upon the stately rose, adding new 
light to tiiat bud just bursting into bloom; there falling carelessly 
upon a bed of choice, rich violets, blending a soft halo of glory 
with the fragrant odor. 

The sunshine of this beautiful morning has found me in the 
glory of solitude. My pen feels free, my heart feels light and my 
thoughts are clear as the laughing waters in the near-by brook. 

I love the sunny southland, where the magnolias bloom, the 
birds sing and the orange blosoms sweeten the air. I love its 
clear lakes and winding river. I love its flower gardens and pine 
forests. I love its gentle breezes that quiver every blossom, leaf 
and bower. I love its countless water oaks dressed in hanging 
robes of gray moss. I love the countless sunbeams descending 
upon the golden sand that glitter like rare diamonds. I love its 
vine-clad cottages and pretty mansions where human heart-throbs 
speak of happiness and joy. I love its young womanhood where 
beauty, modesty, purity and kindness is in flower. I love its 
queenly motherhood where childhod is taught to love God, home 
and native land. I love its splendid manhood where strength, 
courage and nobility are found in every village, city and valley. I 
love her stately palms and grassy lawns. The birds are gaily 
singing their love songs and every living thing seems gay and 
glad. I, too, am joyous in the melody of their music. With grati- 
tude and gladness I breathe the perfumed air and drink of na- 
ture's blessing. I walk on God's green velvet and look into heav- 
en's sky. I like to dream beside the lakes where the alligators 
are basking in the sunshine on the water's edge and a million 
whitecaps are bursting in the sand. 



■Jf- 



CHEERFULNESS. 

Cheerfulness is one of the best words in our language. It 
furnishes the best soil for the growth of goodness and virtue. 
It gives brightness of heart, elasticity of spirit. It is the com- 
panion of charity, the nurse of patience, the mother of wisdom. 
It enables nature to recruit its strength, and rests the weary 
heart as does easy repose. It gives harmony of soul, and is a 
perpetual song without words but with great music of melody. 

Cheerfulness always has a constant companion by the name 
of smiles. They always cross the bridge of sorrow hand in hand, 
and instead of looking down into the awful gloom below, they 
turn their eyes toward the beautiful sunshine and a smile lights 
the heaven above them. A smile turns to the brightest side of 
things, and its face is ever directed toward happiness. It sees 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 105 

the glory of the grass, the sunshine on the flower. It encourages 
happy thoughts and lives in an atmosphere of Christian love. It 
costs nothing, and yet is always ready to perform its mission of 
charity; for it blesses its possessor and grows up in abundant 
happiness in the bosom of others. Even if its pleasures are 
linked with sorrow, its very tears are sweet. 

Some people move through life as a band of music moves 
down the street, flinging out pleasure on every side thru the air 
to every one, far and near, that can listen. Some fill the air 
with their presence and sweetness, as orchards in October days 
fill the air with the perfume of ripe fruit. 

There are lives that shine like "diamonds in the rut" and 
charm the heart like songs sung upon a holy day. 

How great a bounty and blessing it is to hold the royal gifts 
of the soul, so that they shall be music to some and fragrance 
to others, and life to all ! It would be no unworthy thing to 
live for, to make the power which we have within us the breath 
of other men's joy; to scatter sunshine where only clouds and 
shadows reign ; to fill the atmosphere where earth's weary toilers 
must stand with a brightness which they cannot create for them- 
selves, for which they long to enjoy and appreciate. 



THE FLOWER OF FAITH. 

In ascending the Alps, the traveler goes thru different regions 
of vegetation. First he encounters the vines, then fruit trees, 
next splendid forest trees; higher up stunted pines, next dwarf 
trees and mosses, and lastly the eternal snow. But away beyond 
all these, almost on the very top of the mountain, a tiny sweet 
flower peeps thru the chilling snow. It blooms away up there 
sweetly, cheerfully, gloriously. 

Thus, my friends, we often find the blooming flowers of joy 
far beyond the vale of withered hope — blooming sweetly upon 
some green field which has long been beyond our reach. 



THE SUN OF THE SOUL. 

The sun is the source of life in the natural world. Because it 
shines, the grass springs up, and the flowers bloom and the grain 
ripens. It is a generous and unfailing provider of food for man 
and beast. Its heat, stored up in forests and coal beds, supplies 
warmth in our homes and energy for our industries. 

The Sun of the spiritual world is Jesus Christ. In Him are 



io6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

treasured up supplies, sufficient and satisfying, for the deep 
and claimant needs of the soul. And these supplies are as va- 
ried as the gifts of the sun in nature. Now one and now another 
stands out on the pages of the Gospel. For example, John the 
Baptist points to Jesus as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away 
the sin of the world." To be saved from sin's guilt and power — 
this is our first need, and in Him it is fully met. 

The blessed sunshine is free to all. We have but to turn our 
faces skyward and its bright rays pour down their unstinted 
glory upon us. And not less free are the riches of Christ. We 
can draw upon them without reserve, and with them we shall 
be content. 



-X 

GOOD ADVICE. 

"Don't keep watchin' the sun, boy," said the farmer to his 
young helper in the field. "It'll set just the right time, no sooner, 
no later. What you need is to keep watchin' the row you've 
got to hoe." It is good advice for the workers in life's field as 
well — those who, when life's day gets well into its afternoon, are 
inclined to turn too many thoughts toward the sunset. 



LOST TREASURES. 

A man traveling on horseback accompanied by his dog, dis- 
mounted for some purpose, and dropped his package of money. 
His dog saw this, but his master did not. The dog stayed for 
a time beside the lost package, then running on ahead of his 
master, began to bark vigorously and tried to stop the horse and 
to turn it back toward the missing treasure. The man feared 
that the dog had gone mad, and he drew his pistol and shot it. 
The poor, faithful, wounded creature dragged itself back to the 
place where the lost pocketbpok was, and lying down beside it, 
died. 

There are voices calling loudly upon us to consider treasures 
we have lost, and pleading with us to turn back and recover 
them. One of them is a lost innocence. 

Kill not your conscience; but turn back to the path oi purity 
— where priceless treasures are. 

-J? 



WHY HE LOST HIS FRIENDS. 

He was always wounding their feelings, making sarcastic or 
funny remarks at their expense. He was cold and reserved in 
his manner, cranky, gloomy, pessimistic. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 107 

He was suspicious of everybody. 

He never threw the doors of his heart wide open to friends, 
or took them into his confidence. 

He was always ready to receive assistance from his friends, 
but always too busy or too stingy to assist them in their time of 
need. 

He regarded friendship as a luxury to be enjoyed, instead of 
an opportunity for service. 

He never learned that implicit, generous trust is the very 
foundation of friendship. 

He never thought it worth while to spend time in keeping up 
his friendships. 

He did not realize that friendship will not thrive on senti- 
ment alone ; that there must be service to nourish it. 

He did not know the value of thoughtfulness in little things. 

He was always saying mean things about them in their ab- 
sence. 



RESTING ON THE ROCK. 

The foundation of the church of Christ is a rock. It is 
neither built upon a theory, a notion, or a dream ; but upon the 
sure foundation-stone laid in Zion. The individual Christian 
builds upon the same basis, &nd finds firmness, stability and per- 
manence there. Other structures may totter, but the foundation 
of God standeth sure and steady. The feet of the wicked may 
slide, but the rock beneath us stands fast. Storms and tempests 
may howl around us ; the clouds above us may be black ; cur- 
rents may sweep, and waves may dash at our feet ; but beneath 
all this turmoil stands the rock. "Upon this Rock I will build 
my church." "Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation ... a 
precious corner stone ... he that believeth shall not make 
haste," Happy are they whose feet are upon the rock, who rest 
upon a sure foundation ; who amid the storms of life, the 
shadows of death, the whirlwinds of judgment, and the mighty 
ordeals of eternity, stand safe upon a sure foundation, and fear 
no harm that can come to them. 



HAPPINESS BY HOLINESS. 

The gospel of Jesus never says. Be happy. The gospel does 
not deal in little ironies. But the gospel of Jesus says, Be holy; 
aim at the highest, and happiness will come. Forget it; trust 
in God; do the next duty; go round by Calvary, if the road lies 
there, and like sweet music falling among the hills, or like a 



108 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

fragrance wafted we know not whence, like the springing of wa- 
ter where we never looked for it, Hke the shaft of light break- 
ing the cloud above us; like an angel unbidden, happiness will 
come. 

-X 

GOD SUPREME IN THE HOME. 

God must be supreme in the home. The land is full of 
heathen homes. Hurry has made them so. A man jumps out 
of bed into his store without taking time to salute God by the 
wa}'. He says he worships God ; but everybody knows his god 
lives in a cash-drawer. A woman glides out of her dreams into 
her dress, and away to the cares of the day without stopping at 
the place of prayer. She, too, worships God; but she is more 
concerned about the whiteness of the loaves for breakfast than 
about the whiteness of the children's hearts that are as olive 
plants about the table. The result is, the little ones are off in 
some corner inquiring in painful whispers if mamma is really 
a Christian; and the bright boy of the household goes off to 
tell the pastor in confidence that he doesn't want the kind of 
religion his father has. 



LASTING HAPPINESS. 

The girl who brightens up a room when she comes into it, 
so that you forget the shabby furniture, who can bring a smile 
to father's face even when he is worried about business, who 
by her overflowing good spirits makes the meal cheerful even 
when the meat is tough and the pudding scorched, is a sunbeam 
that works overtime. 

The very best happiness cannot be given, it must be earned. 
Many a girl who seems to have everything wears a sorrowful 
face, because her happiness is all made for her. If she would 
go to work and help somebody or something, if it were only a 
thirsty sparrow, it would help wonderfully. Happiness that is 
earned is the only sort that lasts. 



■■5^ 



SKIMMING IT. 



**If you are going to give a pan of milk, don't skim it first,** 
the old grandmother used to say; meaning, if you are going to 
do a favor, don't spoil it by an ungracious word or manner. 

Haven't we noticed how much of this "skimming" goes on in 
ordinary family intercourse? 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 109 

"Another errand? I never can go down town without half a 
dozen commissions !" complains Bob, when his sister asks him 
to bring a book from the library. He never refuses to oblige 
her; he does not really count it an inconvenience; he only takes 
the cream off his kindness. 

"Those gloves ripped again !" exclaims Mary, when John wants 
her to take a few stitches. "It seems to me they always need 
mending when Fm in a hurry with something else." 

She would be shocked at his going shabby and distressed if 
any one thought her unwilling to render such office, but she 
makes it a little unpleasant to ask the favor. 

The children follow the fashion. Tommy shuts the door at 
Bridget's request, but he grumbles at having to leave his top. 
Susie goes to the door when she is sent, but she departs with a 
protest that it is Tommy's turn. Thus all day long, people who 
love one another skim the sweetness from every service they ren- 
der. 



SOME BEST THINGS. 

The best theology — a pure and beneficent life. 

The best philosophy — a contented mind. 

The best law — the golden rule. 

The best education — self knowledge. 

The best medicine — cheerfulness and temperance. 

The best art — painting a smile on the brow of a child. 

The best science — extracting sunshine from a cloudy day. 

The best war — to war against one's weakness. 

The best music — the laughter of an innocent child. 

The best telegraphy — flashing a ray of sunshine into a gloomy 
heart. 

The best biography — the life that writes charity in the largest 
letters. 

The best mathematics — that which doubles the most joys and 
divides the most sorrows. 

The best navigation — steering clear of the lacerating rocks of 
personal contention. 

The best engineering — building a bridge of Faith over the 
river of Death. 



OPENING THE HEART. 

There was a little boy whose heart was touched by a sermon 
on the words, "Behold I stand at the door and knock." His 
mother said to him : "Robert, what would you say to anyone who 
knocked at the door of your heart if you wished him to come 
in?" 



no Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

He answered, *'I would say, 'Come in.* " 
She said to him, "Then say to the Lord Jesus, 'Come.' " 
Next morning there was a brightness and a joy about Rob- 
ert's face that made his father ask, "What makes you so glad 
to-day?" He replied, "I awoke in the night, and I felt that Jesus 
was still knocking at the door of my heart and I said, 'Lord 
Jesus,, come in,' and I think He has come in. I feel happier this 
morning than I ever was before." 



THERE IS A GOD. 

Have you walked abroad into the fields? Have you surveyed 

the expanse of waters? Have you examined the earth, its struc- 
ture, and its form — its surface, its mountains and valleys — its 
springs and its rivers — its medicinal waters — its plains, wide 
and extensive? Have you attentively considered the structure 
and uses of vegetables and flowers? Have you become familiar 
with natural history — with the varieties of animals, birds, in- 
sects and reptiles? Have you duly reflected upon the uses and 
phenomena of the atmosphere? Upon the changes of the sea- 
sons, and the vicissitudes of day and night? Have you raised 
your wondering eyes to the heavens — have you considered the 
magnitude of the planets — their distance from us — the velocity 
and regularity of their motions — the awful magnitude of worlds 
upon worlds — the vastness of systems on systems? Have you 
done all this? And do you tell me that the result of your inves- 
tigation is, that there may and may not be a God? No — if you 
have improved your opportunities, or exercised j^our powers of 
mind with any degress of faithfulness, the fact that there is a 
God has been riveted in your mind ; and you cannot, if you 
would, get rid of it! If you have thought at all, you have felt 
the conviction that your out-going and in-coming have been be- 
neath the eye of Omnipotence! 



TEACHING NUGGETS. 

Giving is the only way of gaining. 

It takes a great soul to lav well-hidden foundations. 

Whoever shelters one of His children builds a house fof ^he 
Father. 

You are not bound to hit your mark; you are bound to take 
a high aim. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 1 1 1 

He who puts himself last in his prayers often fmds HimseL 
first in God's plans. 

The All-wise knows us by the springs of our wills, not by 
the works of our hands. 



LET US TAKE TIME. 

Let us take time for the good-bye kiss. We shall go to the 
day's work with a sweeter spirit for it. 

Let us take time for the evening prayer. Our sleep will be 
more restful if we have claimed the guardianship of God. 

Let us take time to speak sweet, "foolish" words to those we 
love. By and by, when they can no longer hear us, our "foolish- 
ness" will seem more wise than our best wisdom. 

Let us take time to read the Bible. Its treasures will last 
when we have ceased to care for the war of political parties and 
fall of stocks, or the petty happenings of the day. 

Let us take time to be pleasant. The small courtesies which 
we often omit because they are small will some day look larger 
to us than the wealth which we covet or the fame for which we 
struggled. 

Since we all must take time to die, why should we not take 
time to live; — to live in the large sense of a life begun here for 
eternity ? 

Let us take time to get acquainted with our families. The 
wealth you are accumulating, burdened father, busy mother, can 
never be a home to the daughter whom you have no time to 
caress. 

Let us take time to get acquainted with Christ. The hour is 
coming swiftly for us all when one touch of His hand in the 
darkness will mean more than all that is written in the daybook 
and ledger or in the records of our little social world. 



THE LAUGH CURE. 

Laughter induces a mental exhilaration. 

The habit of frequent and hearty laughter will not only save 
you many a doctor's bill, but will also save you years of your 
life. 

There is good philosophy as well as good health in the 
niaxim, "Laugh and grow fat." 

Laughter is contagious. Be cheerful, and make everybody 
around you happy, harmonious and healthful. 

Laughter is a foe to pain and disease, and a sure cure for the 
"blues," melancholy and worry. 



112 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

laughter and good cheer make love of life, and love of life 
is half of health. 

Use laughter as a table sauce ; it sets the organs to dancing, 
and thus stimulates the digestive processes. 

Laughter keeps the heart and face young, and enhances physi- 
cal beauty. 

Laughter is nature's device for exercising the internal organs 
and giving us pleasure at the same time. 

It sends the blood bounding through the body, increases the 
respiration, and gives warmth and glow to the whole system. 

It expands the chest, and forces the poisoned air from the 
least used lung cell. 

Perfect health, which may be destroyed by a piece of bad 
news, by grief or anxiety, is often restored by a good, hearty 
laugh. 

A jolly physician is often better than all his pills. 



A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT. 

One day while riding on the street car it stopped at a cross- 
ing where an old lady in plain black clothes, accompanied by a 
young man, were waiting to get on. He helped his mother in 
and then sat down beside her and with his arm around her shoul- 
der he smoothed out the long, heavy veil which covered her, and 
with all the devotion of a lover, bestowed upon her his whole 
attention, his face meanwhile the index of the most tender solici- 
tation and filial love. She was wrinkled and old and afflicted 
and plainly attired, but she was mother, and the one who suf- 
fered to give him life ; and now, when she is nearing the portals 
of eternity, it was but fitting that he thus reciprocate the love 
and sacrifice lavished on him. Yet, alas, it is a sight too rare in 
this degenerate age. 

She could look back to the years of his childhood and think 
of countless burdens and anxious cares bestowed on him when 
he^ was too young and helpless to understand or appreciate her 
toil and sacrifice; but such tender sympathy and love coming 
from a dutiful son would bring more real comfort into her life 
than millions of money. "Honor thy father and thv mother, that 
thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord thy God 
giveth thee." — Ex. 20:12. 



Some persons act like they had an over-full stomach and an 
empty heart. Perhaps also, an empty head. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 113 

WHAT IS THE GREATEST? 

My greatest loss : To lose my soul. 
My greatest gain : Christ my Savior. 
My greatest object: To glorify God. 
My greatest prize : A crown of glory. 
My greatest work: To win souls for Christ. 
My greatest joy: The joy of God's salvation. 
My greatest inheritance: Heaven and its glories. 
My greatest neglect : To neglect so great a salvation. 
My greatest crime : To reject Christ the only Savior. 
My greatest bargain: The loss of all things to win Christ. 
My greatest profit : Godliness in this life and that to come. 
My greatest privilege : Power to become a son of God. 
My greatest peace : The peace that passeth all understanding. 
My greatest knowledge: To know God and Jesus Christ 
whom he hath sent. 



-9fr- 



PEACE. 

"Peace on earth, good will towards men," — Luke 2 : 12. 

The great work of Christ in dying on the cross seems to 
absorb every other thought respecting him. The words of the 
angel recorded in the text bring to our minds some of the other 
consequences of this blessed yet solemn truth. Let us consider 
the two assertions : 

I- Peace on earth. What is meant by this peace? Was it 
a halo, as it were, of the atmosphere which pervaded heaven 
which Christ brought with his person? Perhaps so, but it was 
more, it was : 

2. Peace between man and God. While sin was unpardoned, 
there could be only enmity between them. Christ in the atone- 
ment — at-one-ment — as the Mediator brought the two together. 

Peace between man and man. Sin brings discord, whence 
come wars, tumults, envyings, etc. Christ's religion must destroy 
all these. 

3. Inward peace of mind and soul. The peace from conflict- 
ing emotions, peace from the power of Satan, peace from the 
torment of retribution, etc. 

God's will towards men. In this we have Christ as 

1. The manifestation of God's good will. What could be a 
greater proof of his love and goodness? 

2. The pledge of greater things to come — "With him he shall 
freely give us all things." 

''Peace on earth." This peace was for all. Is it ours? Do 
we participate in the good will which is this day proclaimed? 



114 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

WHAT ARE YOU? 

Are you boosting or are you knocking? Are you building up 
or are you tearing down? True fraternity means the building 
up and not the tearing down of humanity. The true fraternalist 
is a builder and not a wrecker. What are you? There is not 
room for many wreckers in any community, but there is room 
for an army of builders. Stop just where you stand when you 
read this; and look yourself squarely in the eye and answer the 
question: Are you knocking? Are you a wrecker? Remember, 
then, that you have but a few years to live in which to do good, 
while you have more time than you require in which to do evil. 

Better begin now to be a builder. Begin to build up your 
neighbor. Begin to boost the fellow that you don't like. If the 
glorious Lord can bear with his sins, you should be able to, also. 
The heathen loves his friend. Can you not do a little more than 
a heathen? 

Are you a wrecker or a builder? 

^ 

GOD'S OUT-DOORS. 

Enjoy the open air. 

I love God's carpets better than man's sidewalks. 

Go out into the open field at eventide and rest, pray and 
meditate. I would rather hear the voices of the unseen in the 
blooming forest than the roar of a city. 

City life hath its splendid opportunities, but the men who 
avail themselves of same — nine out of ten — come from the coun- 
try. The country has given more inspired men and women to 
the human race than all the great cities. 

The country atmosphere is pure, hence it makes pure boys 
and girls. Associations are better, hence society is cleaner and 
better. There are less temptations, hence crime is hardly known. 

The cities can be made holy as the country when brave, hon- 
est Christian men are elected as public servants of the people 
and not corrupt politicians. 

God give us men. Not politicians. Give us public servants. 
Not public bosses. Give us men of love, not men of graft and 
bribery. 



-5e- 



A FEW DONTS. 



Don't get discouraged. 

Don't expect to succeed unless you work. 
Don't be long-winded or repeat old "chestnuts." 
Don't expect to succeed unless you are tactful, enthusiastic 
and persistent. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 115 

Don't contradict, but explain. A difference of opinion should 
be no cause for offense. 

Don't give a false coloring to any statement. 



CIGARETTES. 

If every cigarette is a coffin nail, some of our boys are getting 
pretty well boxed up. Each year the United States produce 
about 2,216 cigarettes for each male citizen. Many of these are 
exported — while thousands of others are imported to our nation. 



A CHRISTIAN'S HOPE IS FOUNDED AT THE FOOT OF 

THE CROSS. 

Our hope for eternal life was made a certainty when Christ 
purchased our ticket to heaven with blood that flowed on Cal- 
vary. 

Our hope, like the glad songs of the morning birds, rises 
higher and higher until it loses itself in the unknown space to- 
ward heaven. Each prayer, each breath of gratitude, each 
triumph of victory brings us greater power to spread the glad 
tidings of God's redeeming love. Our pathway is truth and it 
leads from the Manger to the Cross. Every star seems to 
beckon us onward. Along the wayside comes a voice : "Lo, I 
am with you alway." When the black clouds stretch across the 
golden sun and shadows flash about us, we hear another prom- 
ise : "My grace is sufficient for thee." 

Our faith clings to the old Book mother gave us when a 
little child. In opening its worn pages, a new gleam of light 
seems to shine forth and its message grows sweeter still. 

Let our life's work be dedicated to our risen Savior — One 
able to save to the uttermost — All-Powerful, One who will supply 
your every need and give you strength to conquer all the enemies 
you may encounter in your journey of life — and they are many 
which beset the Christian's pathway, the last one being death — 
and Who will finally bring you safely into His kingdom, to the 
"many mansions" within His Father's house, which He hath 
reserved for His children. 

Oh, all ye who are tired and faint and weary, worn with the 
turmoil of earth and grieved and saddened by the sorrows of 
death, bowed 'ncath the he<ivy burdens of care and labor, turn 
to the cross and look upon the Crucified One — Who gave His 
life for you — then look beyond the cross up to the throne above, 
to the risen Savior — the living Christ Who sitteth at the right 



Ii6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

hand of God— who conquered death for you— and let Him save 
you from sin and death and preserve your soul precious in His 
sight, to Life Eternal. 

And as you walk in the newness of life — dead to sin, but alive 
unto Christ — conquering daily every enemy you meet and over- 
coming every obstacle— free, with the wonderful freedom which 
only Christ's children can know, your rejoicing heart will in 
gratitude cry out daily, with Paul, "Thanks be unto God Who 
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 



THE SALOON KEEPER'S SIGN. 

Wishing to get a living without working hard, I have leased 
commodious rooms in Mr. Lovemoney's block, corner Ruin Street 
and Perdition Lane — next door to the undertaker's — where I 
shall manufacture Drunkards, Paupers, Lunatics, Beggars, Crimi- 
nals and Dead Beats, for sober and industrious people to support. 
Backed by the law, I shall add to the number of fatal accidents, 
painful diseases, disgraceful quarrels, riots and cold-blooded 
murders. 

My liquors are warranted to rob some of life; manv of 
reason, more of property, and all of true peace; to make 
fathers fiends, wives widows; and children orphans. I shall 
cause mothers to forget their infants, children grow up to igno- 
rance, young women to lose their priceless purity, and smart 
young men to become swearers, gamblers, skeptics, and lewd 
fellows of the baser sort. 

Lady customers supplied with beer as good as the best "home 
bre^ved," which will not intoxicate them, but only make them 
stupid, slack, lazy, coarse and quarrelsome. 

Sunday Customers Please Enter at the Back Door. 

Boys and girls are the raw material of which I make drunk- 
ards, etc. Parents may help me in this work by always sending 
their children for the "home brewed article." 

At two hours' notice I am able to put husbands in condi- 
tion to reel home, break the furniture, beat their wives, and kick 
their children out of doors. I shall also fit mechanics to spoil 
their work, be discharged and become tramps. 

_ H one of my regular customers should decide to reform, I 
will, for a few pennies, with pleasure, induce him to take just 
one glass more, to start him again on the road to hell. The 
money he would spend for bread and other things for his fam- 
ily will buy luxuries for mine, and then when his monev is all 
eone T will persuade him to run in debt, for I can collect the bill 
by attaching his wages. 

Orders promptly filled for Fevers. Scrofula, Consumption or 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 117 

Delirium Tremens. In short, I will do my best to bring upon 
my regular customers, debt, disgrace, disease, despair and death 
in this world, and in the next the pangs of the second death. 

Having closed my ears to God's warning voice— Hab. 2:12-15; 
Psa, 9:16,17; Rom, 2:9 — having made a league with hell, and 
sold myself to work iniquity, and having paid for my license, I 
have a right to bring all the above evils upon my friends and 
neighbors for the sake of gain. 

Some have suggested that I display outside the door assort- 
ed specimens of my art, but that would blockade the street. Ex- 
cellent samples of my manufactured wrecks may be seen inside 
almost any time, or at the station house every morning; in the 
poor houses, asylums and prisons every day, and very, very 
frequently on the gallows." — Mr. Saloon Keeper. 



WHAT IS WANTED? 

There never has been an hour in the world's history, nor 
any land beneath the sun, in which a man of mental and moral 
powers could achieve so much for himself, for the nation, and 
for God as Now. 

And what is wanted in this hour of crises and revolution? 
What is needed to meet the demands of the age? Political integ- 
rity? Yes, and something more! University scholarship? Yes, 
and something more! An untrammeled press? Yes, and some- 
thing more! A free church, and a true pulpit? Yes, and some- 
thing more ! A stable government, and a strong executive ? Yes, 
and something more ! The great want of this nation is manhood 
— enlightened, educated, inspired Christian character ! Who is it 
that must direct the energies of the present age ; control the 
surging waves of mind ; settle the elements of public commotion ; 
confer on humanity its just rights; dispute the advance of anti- 
Christ; sweep back the floods of infidelity and crime — who, un- 
der God, is to do all this? The warrior, with garments rolled in 
blood? No, the man! The politician, with his petty schemes of 
personal aggrandizement? No, the man! The merchant, swollen 
with the riches of every clime? No, the man! The scholar, 
bending beneath the adornments of classic literature and intel- 
lectual culture? No, the man! The diplomat, with musty prom- 
ises, and impracticable treaties? No, the man! Above everything 
else, we need manly character, which implies all that party, school, 
and church can give us. 



Ii8 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

HOLD-ONS. 

Hold on to your hand when you are about to do an unkind 
act. 

Hold on to your tongue when you are just ready to speak 
harshly. 

Hold on to your heart when evil persons invite you to join 
their ranks. 

Hold on to your virtue — it is above all price to you in all 
times and places. 

Hold on to your foot when you are on the point of forsaking 
the path of right. 

Hold on to the truth, for it will serve you well, and do you 
good throughout eternity. 

Hold on to your temper when you are excited, or angry, 
or others are angry with you. 

Hold on to your good character, for it is and ever will be your 
best wealth. 



SOFTENED BY SORROW. 

When sorrow or the sight of sorrow makes us compassionate 
and forgiving we are like our Lord. A little eight-year-old 
newsboy was so persistent in his determination that a gentleman 
should buy a paper of him that the man rebuked him in a way 
which a moment afterwards he regretted. The child felt hurt 
and insulted, and answered : "Never mind, old man, I'll grow 
up and give you the awfulest licking." They met daily for 
nearly a year, and many times the man heard the little lad say: 
"There goes a fellow I am going to lick, if it takes me fifty years." 
But one day the man was surprised to receive a call from his 
little enemy. The boy extended his hand with the words : "Say, 
let's quit. I said I'd lick you, and I meant it all along, but — 
but " "What has happened to change your mind?" "Moth- 
er's dead — died Monday, and I don't want to fight anybody, for 
nothing. If you'll forgive me, I'll forgive you," The man took 
the child's hand with assurance of forgiveness, and the lad went 
away comforted. 



FIND THE ANSWER. 

What does the Bible say about: 
Crust of bread — Prov. 17:1. 
Pleasant words — Prov. 16:24. 
A soft answer — Prov. 15:1. 
A false balance — Prov. 11 :i. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 119 



Sleep — Prov. 20:13. 
A child — Prov. 20:11. 
A merry heart — Prov. 17*22. 
The truth — Prov. 23:2.3. 
Two things— Prov. 30: 7:8. 
A man — Prov. 18:24. 
Hatred — Prov. 10:12. 
The lips — Prov. 10:21. 
The tongue — Prov. 10:20. 
The ant — Prov. 6 :6. 

)f- 



IN LOVE WITH HIS MOTHER. 

Of all the love affairs in the vv'orld none can surpass the true 
love of a big boy for his mother. It is pure and noble, honor- 
able to the highest degree in both. I do not mean merely a duti- 
ful affection. I mean a love that makes a boy gallant and cour- 
teous to his mother, saying to everybody plainly that he is fairly 
in love with her. Next to the love of a husband, nothing so 
crowns a woman's life with honor as this second love, this devo- 
tion of a son to her. I never yet knew a boy to turn out bad 
who began by falling in love with his mother. Any man may 
fall in love with a fresh-faced girl, and the man who is gallant 
with the girl may cruelly neglect his worn and weary mother, 
but the boy who is a lover of his mother in her middle age is 
a true knight, who will love his wife as much in her sere-leaved 
autumn as he did in the daisied spring-time. 



LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. 

One night the keeper of the lighthouse on a rocky coast was 
taken ill and was unable to attend the light. The machinery be- 
came disordered and the Hght failed to revolve. A storm swept 
the dangerous coast and the keeper's boy, a mere lad, climbed up 
to the lamp and during all the long hours of the stormy night 
turned with his own hands the lantern. In the morning it was 
learned that two vessels with seven hundred souls on board had 
been able to make the harbor by the aid of the revolving light 
that had been kept in motion by the often tired but ever vigilant 
boy. Unconsciously the faithful boy had been the means of sav- 
ing hundreds of lives, and all because he kept the light where it 
could be seen. It has been said "the stars do not shout, they 
only shine." Any Christian, however obscure, can be a light to 
those around him, and thus attract and guide men to the harbor 
of peace. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see 
your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven." 



120 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

THE ONLY FATHER. 

"My father is very rich," said Httle Earl, as he walked by the 
side of his nurse. "All this land is his, and this house, and stable 
and lake." 

"My father is also rich," said the nurse, as she looked up to- 
ward the sky and away over the fields and woods. "The green 
fields and meadows are all His, the blue sky and the golden sun, 
the cattle on a thousand hills — all these are His." 

"Who is your father?" asked little Earl. 

"He is God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth," 
v;as the good and gentle answer. 



■*■ 



THE CRUSHED FLOWER. 

The mother of two beautiful children was gathering peas in 
the garden and found a rose and a lily. "O, how beautiful !" 
exclaimed the mother; "I will take the flowers and make a bou- 
quet for Willie and Bessie." The mother returned from the 
garden and called Willie and Bessie to her knee, and showing 
them the beautiful flowers she had brought them, pinned the 
white lily on the lapel of Willie's coat and said, "My son, this 
lily is an emblem of purity and may mother's boy ever be pure 
as the lily." Then she pinned the red rose on the little bosom 
of sweet Bessie and said, "My daughter, this rose is an emblem 
of a mother's love, and may my child ever handle it tenderly." 

Bessie was a beautiful child but possessed an unruly temper, 
while Willie had a smooth, sweet disposition. The lily looked 
so beautiful on Willie's coat that Bessie looked upon it with 
selfish envy. "O," exclaimed Bessie, "you gave Willie the pret- 
tiest flower; I want the lily — I don't like roses." "No, dear," 
said the mother, "I have already given the lily to brother, you 
nuist keep the rose." "I won't have the old rose," said Bessie, 
and snatching it from her dress, threw it upon the floor and 
stamped it 

"Oh, you have crushed the rose," said Willie, as he picked it 
up in his little fingers. "But," said he, "its fragrance is sweeter 
and stronger than before. Then he pressed it to his mother's 
nose and said, "Isn't it, mother?" 

"Yes, my child, and so is a mother's crushed love sweeter and 
stronger," and with these words she drew the little girl to her 
breast, kissed her golden curls and asked Bessie to never be so 
naughty again as to crush a tender gift from the hand and heart 
of a mother. 

Many children are daily crushing the roses of a mother's love 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 121 

but there will come a time in the child's life when sad remorse 
will chill the heart and no fragrance will sweet the air; for even 
the fragrance of a mother's crushed love cannot penetrate a slab 
of white marble and the grave. 



THE UPLIFTED FINGER. 

**It was not by a great sermon, nor by any spoken words, that 
I was brought to feel my need of a Savior," said a man of influ- 
ence. "It was by the upHfted finger of a dying man. I had a 
godly mother, who taught me of the Savior, who prayed for 
me, and set before me the pattern of a beautiful Christian life. 
But I despised her prayers; I turned my back on her entreaties, 
'and became a prodigal from home. In a strange city a godly man 
interested himself in my welfare, and plead with me to turn to 
Jesus. I remained careless under all his efforts and prayers, until 
,one night I was left to watch with him alone during a serious 
sickness. Suddenly in the night he grew worse, and died before 
others could be summoned. He was no longer able to speak; 
but his mind was clear, and a radiant smile rested on his face. 
His eyes looked joyfully into mine, and then they turned heaven- 
ward, and at the same time he lifted his finger and pointed up- 
ward, as if to say, "Meet me in heaven." He never spoke again. 
But though I had been able to banish his words while in health, 
I could not rid my mind of the sight of that heavenly smile and 
that uplifted finger. All my mother's teaching, all this faithful 
friend's exhortations, came back upon my soul with tenfold 
power, and I sought and found rest at the feet of Jesus. Now I 
am trying to make my whole life a fingerboard pointing to Jesus 
and heaven." 



HAVING CHRIST. 

I read a very beautiful story of a poor heathen woman in 
India who was converted and became a Christian. I do not 
know how long she served Jesus, but at last the call came for her 
to go. 

As she lay on her deathbed a friend came to see her. He 
asked her how she felt, and she answered in a faint voice: 
"Happy! Happy!" 

Stretching out her thin hand, she laid it first upon the 
Bible lying next to her, saying, 'T have Christ here ;" then, touch- 
ing her heart, "And I have Christ here;" and lastly, pointing 
upward, "I have Christ there!" 

Dear children, what a happy death! This poor woman had 
Christ. Let me ask: "Is this true of you?" 



122 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

It is in the first instance, for you have Christ in the Bible, 
as she had. But have you Him in your heart? O, stop and think 
before you answer this question, because, if you have not, you 
cannot have Him in heaven. 



X 

NIGHT. 

Night, like some great, loving mother, gently lays her hand 
upon our fevered head, and turns our little tear-stained faces 
up to hers, and smiles ; and tho' she does not speak, we know 
what she would say, and lay our hot, flushed cheek against her 
bosom, and the pain is gone. Night's heart is full of pity for us ; 
she takes our hand in hers, and the little world grows very small 
and very far away beneath us, and borne on her dark wings, 
we pass into the land of dreams. 



THE BEST. 



It is recorded of a certain philosopher that a friend who went 
to visit him met the philosopher's little daughter before he met 
the learned m.an himself. Knov/ing that the father was pos- 
sessed of much learning, he concluded that the little girl must 
have learned somethinnr very grave and deep from such a father. 

During the talk with her he said : "What is your father 
teaching you?" 

The young daughter looked at him with her beautiful blue 
eyes and simply said : "Obedience." 

This was the lesson which the wise man considered most nec- 
essary for his child, and this is the lesson which the Heavenly 
Father would teach his children — obedience to him, followinfr 
closely in the footsteps of the Man of Galilee and obscrvir-^ 
those things which he commanded. "If ye know these things, 
happy are ye if ye do them." 



BAD BARGAINS. 

K Sabbath school teacher once remarked that he who buys 
truth makes a good bargain, and inquired if any scholar recol- 
lected an instance in Scripture of any one making a bad bargain. 

*T do," replied a boy. "Esau made a bad bargain when he 
sold his birthright for a mess of pottage." 

A second said, "Judas made a bad bargain when he sold His 
Lord for thirty pieces of silver." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 123 

A third replied, "Ananias and Sapphira made a bad bargain 
when they sold their land and then told Peter a falsehood about 
it." 

A fourth observed, "Our Lord tells us that he makes a bad 
bargain who, to gain the whole world, loses his own soul." 



ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN. 

Rememfeer, my son, you have to work. Whether you handle 
a pick or pen, a wheelbarrow or a set of books, dig ditches or 
edit a paper, ring an auction bell or write funny things, you must 
work. If you look around you will see the men who are the most 
able to live the rest of their days without work are the men who 
work the hardest. Don't be afraid of killing yourself with over- 
work. It is beyond your power to do that on the sunny side of 
thirty. They die sometimes, but it is because they quit work 
at six p. m., and don't go home till two a. m. It's the interval 
that kills, my son. The work gives you an appetite for your 
meals ; it lends solidity to your slumbers ; it gives you a perfect 
and grateful appreciation of a holiday. There are young men 
who do not work, but the world is not proud of them. It does 
not know their names even ; it simply speaks of them as "old 
So-and-So's boys." Nobody likes them; the great busy world 
does not know that they are there. So find out what you want 
to be and do, and take off your coat and make a dust in the 
world. The busier you are the less harm you will be apt to get 
into, the sweeter will be your sleep, the brighter and happier 
your holidays, and the better satisfied the world will be with you. 



When you are world-weary, talk to a little child, and its sweet 
innocence and soft tone will be as sunshine and music to the long- 
ing soul. "A little child shall lead them." 



->5' 



THE BUDS OPENING IN HEAVEN. 

Heaven is greatly made up of little children, sweet buds that 
have never blown, or which death has plucked from a mother's 
bosom to lay on his own cold breast, just when they were ex- 
panding, flower-like, from the sheath, and opening their engag- 
ing beauties in the budding time and spring of life. "Of such is 
the kingdom of heaven." How sweet these words by the cradle 
of a dying infant ! They fall like balm drops on our bleeding 
heart, when we watch the ebbing of that young life, as wave 
after wave breaks feebler, and the sinking breath gets lower and 



124 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

lower, till, with a gentle sigh and a passing quiver of the lip, 
our child lei.ves its body — lying like an angel asleep, and ascends 
to the beauties of heaven and the bosom of God. Indeed it may 
be that God does with His heavenly garden as we do with our 
gardens. He may chiefly stock it from nurseries, and select for 
transplanting what is yet in its young and tender age — flowers 
before they have bloomed, and trees ere they begin to bear. 



•Jt- 



ARMOR-PLATED BOYS. 

It is important in these days that America should have armor- 
plated boys. A boy needs to be iron-clad : 

His lips — against the first taste of liquor. 

His ears — against evil gossip. 

His hands — that they do nothing wrong. 

His heart — against irreverence and doubt. 

His feet — against going with bad company. 

His eyes — against dangerous books and pictures. 

His pocket — against dishonest money. 

His tongue — against impure words. 

The Christian armor on her citizens gives more security to 
the nation than all the armor-plate on her ships can give. 



NO SORROW THERE. 

This earthly life has been fitly characterized as a pilgrim.age 
through a vale of tears. In the language of poetry, a man himself 
has been called a pendulum betwixt a smile and a tear. Every- 
thing in this world is characterized by imperfection. The best 
people have many faults. The clearest mind only sees through 
a glass darkly. The purest heart is not without spot. All the 
intercourse of society, all the transactions of business, all our 
estimate of human conduct and motive must be based upon the 
sad assumption that we cannot wholl}'- trust either ourselves or 
our fellow-men. Every heart has its grief, every house has its 
skeleton, every character is marred with weakness and imper- 
fection. And all these aimless conflicts of our minds, and un- 
answered longings of our hearts should lead us to rejoice the 
more in the divine assurance that a time is coming when night 
shall melt into noon, and the mystery shall be clothed with glory 
and perfection will blossom, in the heavenly garden of God's love. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 125 

GOD'S LIGHTS. 

The lamp had just been put out, and the little girl was rather 
afraid of the dark. But presently she saw the moon over the 
trees out of her window, and she asked her mother: 'Ts the 
noon God's light?" 

"Yes," the mother replied, "the moon and the stars are all 
God's lights." 

"Will God blow out his light and go to sleep, too?" she asked 
again. 

"No, my child," replied the mother. "God's lights are always 
burning." 

"Well, mother," said the child, "while God's awake Fm not 
afraid." 



"JUST SO YOU AINT." 

Two boys were pulling a sled up a hill. When they had 
reached the top the little boy was crying. 

"What are you crying about now ?" asked the big boy. 

"You called me a know-nothin'," sobbed the little boy. 

"Well, what do you care, just so you ain't? Come on, you 
feel all right now," said the big boy, putting his arms around the 
little fellow's neck as he spoke. 

I passed on ; but the incident set me to thinking. How many 
of us spend a great deal of time and strength worrying over 
unpleasant things that people may say or think about us. "Just 
so they ain't" true, why need we bother about them? If they are 
true, let us, by God's help, try to make them false. 



THE TEST OF LIGHT. 

When we would a little rather the thing we are considering 
should not be generally known, it is a pretty safe rule to stop 
considering and leave it alone. The thing that we are ready to 
expose to the free view of everybody in the full light of day is 
more likely to be all right. A boy in a well-known preparatory 
school altered a sign reading, "Work connected with the devel- 
opment of pictures must be done in the dark room," so that it 
read, "Work connected with the devil must be done in the dark." 
Whether it must or not, it usually is; and a preference for the 
accompaniment of darkness is not a prompting to be proud of. 



126 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

GRATITUDE. 

I thank God this is a nation of homes — happy homes ; and for 
the most part these homes are filled with growing, happy chil- 
dren, preparing for noble citizenship. May God pity us when our 
homes become childless homes, and our increase comes from the 
degraded foreigner, dumped upon our shores, with his unbelief 
in God and government, and because there is no room for him 
anj'where else in the world. The Czar of Russia, referring to 
the birth of a daughter, some years ago, gave thanks to God 
for this accession to the imperial house. Every American Chris- 
tian home is an imperial house. The father is king, the mother 
is queen, and they live together in perfect peace and concord, 
especially when marriage is cemented by Christian love. 

I thank God for the sunshine of each day and each night of 
rest, which follows the sunset. I thank God for the morning 
dewdrops and the song of the fluttering birds, for the morning 
light over mountain, hill and valley and the tender eyes of loved 
ones. 

I thank God for the move and throb of the great city. Morn- 
ing hath awakened the world from its drowsy slumber and the 
whole city is athrob with life. I am thankful that I too am 
awake, and have part in the great world, in its toil, its joys and 
achievement. I thank God that every child of man is a king. 
The birds sing to please me, the brooks flow to give me music 
and quench my thirst, the stars shine thru benighted skies as 
lights from heaven, the yellow moon flashes its mellow rays in 
my pathway and the golden sun rises from the East to light 
the world in which I am a king and a child of God. 

I am a ruler. To-day I can be a little center from which shall 
radiate peace, kindness and good will. I am ruler of my passions, 
I am ruler over the devil of temptation, therefore I am a king. 

Thank God for opportunity. Opportunity speaks in my ear, 
saying that to-day I may cheer some sad hearts and like the golden 
sunbeam send a beautiful ray of light into their benighted soul 
that may uplift some heart to God. May my life this beautiful 
morning shed its awakening influence of cheerfulness about every 
one with whom I come in contact, and gladden wherever it 
touches. 

Heavenly Father, this is my prayer of gratitude. 



A POET'S MISSION. 

A poet is a living instrument of music and art which ecHoes 
its glad refrain over the wide sea of humanity, touching as with 
fire the shores of thought and the isles of dreams. The poet 
sits upon the throne of human destiny, inspired with the oppor- 
tunities before him to make the world better because of his 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 1^7 

iiaving lived in it; and his pure and beautiful sentiments of life 
at times cause the morning star of hope and happiness to rise 
above the dim horizon of doubt — giving sunshine and joy to be- 
nighted souls ; and at times, while he plays upon some invisible 
cord, he floods the world with tears by one touch of the pen. 
The poet sails on the wings of aspiration, over seas and plains 
and brings the world closer together in accord with the glory; 
and teaching of the Savior of mankind. 

The world loves the artist of beauty which sweeps the heart- 
strings of the immortal soul till they vibrate with the sweeter 
melodies of life. This should surely be the mission of a poet, 
redeemed by grace — for next to my mother's worn Bible comes 
the echo of poetic thought. 

O, give me the thoughts of a poet, 

Together with moments of prayer; 
And I'll show you a world of beauty, 
With its valleys and rivers and air. 
The air filled with larks and sparrows. 
Thru which sails the peaceful dove; 
A world of joy and blessing, 

Thru which flows the river of love. 



THE IDEAL HOME. 

The ideal home Is the one that ministers to the needs of all 
those who make it. It is the place where sympathy, interest, in- 
telligent understanding, inspiration, and above all, repose, are 
found. Love must be its cornerstone. Love will do more to 
banish sorrow and defeat in the home than all else. 

The ideal home is made musical by children's laughter. Such 
a home has been sanctified by the hours of waiting, the moan of 
pain, the first cry of baby lips, the prayer of thanksgiving. Sor- 
row and joy have been its guests. The gamut of human emotion 
must have been felt in it, or it lacks one element of perfection, 
the power of sympathy. Children are the channels that connect 
the world and the home. Their manifold interests compel at- 
tention to the thousand outside interests that afiFect their lives. 
Life cannot be as rich for husband and wife as when the possi- 
bilities of joy and sorrow, of responsibility and interest, for a 
common object of love cement them. We all know of homes 
that would fall apart were there no children to bind the hus- 
band and wife together, giving them one common interest. 

The ideal home has a place at its hearth for friends. The 
heart is just as large as the hearth. 

The ideal home is the place where souls are born. No church 
is so sacred, no communion so truly an act of remembrance, as 



128 'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

that of a family gathered in unity of sympathy — in prayer. The 
ideal home does not depend upon the church for the spiritual 
life of its members; it is the feeder of the spiritual life of the 
church ; it is the auxiliary of the church in its efforts to lift 
man to God's ideal for him. 

Books, pictures and music are the essentials of the ideal 
home. They never find rivals in the things that make for dis- 
play. 

The ideal home represents common sacrifice for a common 
good, not individual sacrifice to the common good. No martyrs 
are made by choice or necessity in the ideal home. The happi- 
ness and development of each is the business of all, and the con- 
ditions and environments are compelled, as far as possible, to ac- 
complish this result. 

Above all is the ideal home a place of rest. Within its walls 
are found no warring elements. To the latest hour of life the 
memory of it stands a bulwark against temptation ; a shadow of 
peace in time of sorrow; a spring of refreshing in the time of 
weariness ; the one place that makes comprehensible the love, 
the mercy, the fatherhood of God. 



-* 



ADVICE TO A YOUNG MAN. 

While on a lecture trip recently a young man presented me 
with his small memorandum book which he took from his vest 
pocket and requested me to write a few lines which I thought 
helped materially in making life ideal and worth the living. I 
wrote the following lines in his little book and gave it back, to 
wit: 

A loving heart, an unbending will to overcome evil with 
good, a pure mind well cultivated and fed upon good literature 
and beautiful sentiments, an appreciation of the good in others, 
a knowledge of one's own weakness, time well spent to develop 
mind, muscles and character, holding principle above policy, 
honor above fame and fortune, virtue daily practiced, temperance 
in all things, daily prayer and a complete surrender to God thru 
the atonement of Christ. 

3? 



AN APPEAL TO BOYS. 

Boys, follow me ! 

What will I do for you if you will let me lead you? T will 
take every noble purpose out of your life. I will create in you a 
desire for the lower things of life. I will make you so dull and 
stupid that you will be called a blockhead. I will prevent you 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 129 

from holding any position of trust and honor. 

I will introduce you to the people, who later will fill the jails 
and penitentiaries of this land. I will open for you the doors 
of the saloon and gambling house, and I will leave you in some 
penitentiary or insane asylum, a despised pauper and a physical 
wreck. 

You need not take my word for this. Ask any drunkard 
how he started and he will tell you I gave him the desire for 
strong drink. Ask the keeper of an insane asylum why so many 
men are spending miserable lives there, and he will tell you that 
many of them are there because I weakened their minds. Ask 
the men behind the iron bars at the penitentiary how they came 
to be there and many of them will tell you that they would be 
respected citizens if they had never joined my ranks. 

Boys, this is my creed. Will you follow me? I will do exactly 
as I have promised. I have never failed. 

My name is "Cigarette." 



A PICTURE OF THE OLD HOME. 

I can see it now — the little vine-clad cottage, with its sloping 
roof, its clumsy old chimneys, and its vine-clad porch ; where 
the brown bee hummed his drowsy song, and my silver-haired 
father sat dozing the sultry summer noons away, with shaggy 
Bruno at his feet. The bright earth had no blight or mildew 
then for me. The song of the little birds, resting beneath the 
eaves, filled my heart with a quiet joy. 

It was sweet when toil was over to sit in the low doorway, 
and watch the golden sun go down, and see the many tinted 
clouds fade softly away (like a dying saint), into the light of 
heaven, and evening's glittering star glow, like a seraph's eye 
above them. 'Twas sweet, when Autumn touched the hill-side 
foliage with rainbow dyes, to see the gorgeous leaves come circ- 
ling down on the soft Indian summer breeze. 'Twas sweet, when 
the tripping silver stream lay still and cold in Winter's icy clasp, 
and the flowers fainted beneath his chilly breath, and the leafless 
trees stretched out their imploring arms, and shook off, impa- 
tiently, their snowy burden, and the heavy wagon wheels went 
creaking past and the ruddy farmer struck his brawny arms 
across his ample chest for warmth, and goaded the lazy, round- 
eyed oxen up the icy hill. 

Even then it was sunshine still in the little brown house; 
in the ample chimney glowed and crackled the blazing fagots; 
rows of shining pans glittered upon the shelves; the fragrant 
loaf steamed in the little oven, the friendly tea-kettle, smoking, 
sang in the chimney corner, and by its side still sat the dear old 
father, with the faithful newspaper, that weekly brought us 



130 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

news from the busy world from which our giant forest-trees had 
shut us out. 

Ah ! those were happy days ; few wants, and no cares. 

But the happiness of childhood's home whispers sweetly 
of the eternal bliss in the home "not made with hands." 



55 

THE OLD DOCTOR'S STORY. 

"Children, I have a story to tell you," the old doctor said to 
the young people the other evening. *'One day — a long, hot day 
it had been, too — I met my father on the road to town. 

" T wish you would take this package to the village for me, 
Jim,' he said, hesitatingly. 

"Now, I was a boy of twelve, not fond of work, and was just 
out of the hayfield, where I had been at work since daybreak. 
I was tired, dusty and hungry. It was two miles into town. I 
wanted to get my supper, and to wash and dress for singing- 
school. My first impulse was to refuse, and to do it harshly; for 
I was vexed that he should ask after my long day's work. If 
I did refuse, he would go himself. He was a gentle, patient old 
man. But something stopped me — one of God's good angels, 
I think. 

" 'Of course, father, I'll take it,' I said heartily, giving my 
scythe to one of the men. 

" Thank you, Jim,' he said. T was going myself ; but some- 
how, I don't feel very strong to-day.' 

"He walked with me to the road that turned off to the town. 
As he left, he put his hand on my arm, saying again : 'Thank you, 
my son. You've always been a good boy to me, Jim.' 

"I hurried into town and back again. 

"When I came near the house I saw a crowd of farm-hands 
at the door. 

"One of them came to me, the tears rolling down his face. 

" 'Your father, he said, 'fell dead just as he reached the 
house. The last words he spoke were to you.' 

"I am an old man now ; but I have thanked God over and over 
again, in all the years that have passed since that hour, that those 
ast words were, 'You've always been a good boy to me.' " 



■^ 



HOW TO MAKE A GOOD WIFE UNHAPPY. 

See her as seldom as possible. If she is warm-hearted and 
cheerful in temper, and if, after days' or weeks' absence she 
meets you with a smiling face and in an affectionate manner, 
be sure to look coldly upon her, and answer her with dry mono- 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 131 

syllables. If she force back her tears, and is resolved to look 
cheerful, sit down and gape in her presence till she is fully con- 
vinced of your indifference. Never agree with her in opinion, 
or consult her in any of your affairs, for that would give her an 
idea of consequence. Never think you have anything to do to 
make her happy; but that all happiness is to flow to gratifying 
your wants ; and when she has done all a woman can do, be 
sure you do not appear gratified. Never take an interest in any 
of her pursuits, and if she asks your advice, make her feel that 
she is troublesome. If she attempts to rally you good-humoredly 
on any one of your pecuharities, never join m the laugh, but 
frown her into silence. If she has faults (which, without doubt, 
she will have, and perhaps may be ignorant of), never attempt 
with kindness to correct them ; but continually obtrude upon her 
ears, "What a good wife Mr. Smith has." "How happy friend 
Smith is with his wife." "That any man would be happy with 
such a wife." In company never seem to know you have a wife, 
treat all her remarks with indifference, and be very affable and 
complaisant to every other lady. If you have married a woman 
of principle, and will follow these directions, you may be certain 
of an obedient and a — heart-broken wife. 



WHAT A BOY CAN DO. 

A lad in Boston, rather small for his years, worked in an 
office as errand boy for four gentlemen who do business there. 
One day the gentlemen were chafing him a little about being so 
small and said to him : "You will never amount to much ; you 
can never do much business, you are too small." The little fel- 
low looked at them. "Well," said he, "small as I am, I can do 
something which none of you four men can do." "Ah, what is 
that?" they asked. "I don't know as I ought to tell you," he re- 
plied. But they were anxious to know, and urged him to tell 
what he could do that none of them were able to do. "I can 
keep from swearing!" said the little fellow. There were some 
blushes on four manly faces. 

H 



A GOOD WIFE. 

A good wife is to a man wisdom, strength and courage; a 
bad one is confusion, weakness and despair. No condition is 
hopeless to a man where the wife possesses firmness, decision 
and economy. There is no outward propriety which can counter- 
act indolence, extravagance and folly at home. No spirit can 
long endure bad influence. Man is strong; but his heart is not 



132 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold, 

adamant. He needs a tranquil mind, and especially if he is an 
intelligent man with a whole head, he needs its moral force in 
the conflict of life. To recover his composure, home must be 
a place of peace and comfort. There his soul renews its strength 
and goes forth with renewed vigor to encounter the labor and 
trouble of life. But if at home he finds no rest, and is there 
met with bad temper, jealousy and gloom, or assailed with com- 
plaints and censure, hope vanishes, and he sinks into despair. 



-X- 



MOTHER THE QUEEN OF HOME, 

It is unquestionable that the highest qualities of woman are 
displayed in her relationship to others through the medium of 
her affections. She is the nurse whom nature has given to all 
humankind. She takes charge of the helpless, and nourishes and 
cherishes those we love. She is the presiding genius of the fire- 
side, where she creates an atmosphere of serenity and content- 
ment suitable for the nurture and growth of character in its best 
forms. She is by her very constitution compassionate, gentle, 
patient, and self-denying. Loving, hopeful, trustful, her eye 
sheds brightness everywhere. It shines upon coldness and 
warms it, upon suffering and relieves it, upon sorrow and cheers 
it. 

Mother has been styled the angel of the unfortunate. She is 
ready to help the weak, to raise the fallen, to comfort the suf- 
fering. 



PART II. 

SILVER GEMS IN SEAS OF GOLD 

Containing the Author's 
LECTURES, ADDRESSES & SERMONS 



LECTURES, ADDRESSES & SERMONS. 

MOTHER— HOME— HEAVEN. 

Home! the middle word of the most beautiful trio of the 
English language. There is music in it sweeter than the strains 
of the Aeolian harp in the twilight of a summer evening. It is 
the place where mother lived; where she rocked us in the cradle 
of loving adoration; where we remember gazing into her face 
for the first time ; where the bud, unpolluted by sin, grew a 
flower, and where often good impressions are made that control 
the actions of manhood — these and myriads of other memories 
almost too sacred for the lips of man to describe, are some of the 
things which classify home v/ith mother and heaven. No matter 
whether it is a mansion in the city, or a cabin in the woods, a 
palace of royalty or in hovel of poverty — it is home. Mother's 
picture hangs on the wall, the shadow of beauty of days gone by 
and her old arm chair are there ; brothers and sisters play there. 
The birds sing sweeter and the sun shines brighter, the moon- 
beams are softer and the flowers are more beautiful where 
mother's eye can behold them. Home, sweet home. 

What a musical sound the word home has ! What a beautiful 
place home is ! My readers, have you ever stopped to think what 
home really is ! What it really means to us ! A happy home is 
an Eden upon earth, a sacred spot around which the blessed 
memories of childhood and mother cling. A home need not be 
one which costs much money to be a happy one. No. But there 
is one essential thing and that is love — where all hearts are in 
harmony with each other. I care not whether it be a little cot 
or a princely palace — for where love is, home is. I would rather 
have the lowliest cot — a dugout if needs be — and a crust to eat 
where love is, than the fat of the land in a mansion where it is 
not ! _ 

Oh, friends, there is nothing, no, nothing, in this land to-day 
that touch my heart as an unhappy home. A home where no 
thoughts of love, of pride and happiness cluster ; where the music 
of the harp of life is all discord; where there is no kind greet- 
ing, no good morning kiss, no pleasant words, or smiles for the 
wife; no father's good night kiss for his child; no music, no 
song, no gladness. What might be a garden of Eden is a desert 
without a blossom. Only a tearless, loveless wife, a stern, unfor- 
giving, unloving husband; a home without any sunshine of joy; 
only thorns along the border of life where roses should cast 
abroad their sweetness and their Purity. A happy home — God 
bless them where'er they may be — is a true garden of Eden, 
where the children of that home are as the fair, pure flowers of 



136 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

:he garden. Oh, truly, God loves to hover over that home where 
Love hath not been cast out ; where all — father, mother, sister, 
Drother — dwell in harmony and in love. 

Home, sweet home — the fairest place to me. 

Home, sweet home, wherever it may be. 

Home, home, from sin and sorrow free. 

Of all the rest. 

Dearest and best 

Is my own dear home to me. 

Oh, that sweet word home, and next is mother. What two 
ivords in the English language could be sweeter and what could 
have more strength and importance than the value of these in 
life. Do the mothers who are living in homes where the family 
circle is unbroken realize the blessing they are permitted to 
enjoy; and do those who have walked thru the deep joy of seeing 
this circle united in Christian love realize the goodness of God? 

A Christian home is where all are dwelling in peace and love, 
all members of the family are like so many links to a chain, each 
one filling his place and helping to support all the others, work- 
ing together and for the interest of one another, where they all 
share each other's joys and also their sorrows, and take their 
plans to the parents and ask for their advice. One of the most 
beautiful thoughts connected with home is that it is the abode of 
two sweethearts and lovers. The same two hearts whose beats 
quickened at the thought of the other, the same gallant fellow 
and blushing girl who walked thru the lane together, the same 
two lovers who loved each other enough to stand at the marriage 
altar and promise "to love till death do us part" are lovers still ! 
Home is where our love is — for, it is there our loved ones are 
oftenest found. Life without love is like the rose without per- 
fume. It is incomplete, for love is life, and God is love; and 
even a cottage is life's Eden with one we love. 

Then when we enjoy the sweetness of a happy home, it is 
but a slight foretaste of heaven — the eternal home. 

All that there is of tenderness, purity and strength in America 
to-day can be traced from the harmonizing influence of the home. 
A single bitter word may disquiet a homestead for an entire 
evening. One surly glance often casts a gloom over father and 
mother, while a smile, like a gleam of sunshine, lights up the 
darkest hoilrs, like unexpected flowers which spring up along 
our path, full of freshness, fragrance and beauty. So do kind 
words, gentle acts and sweet disposition make glad the home- 
stead where peace and harmony should dwell. 

Home is the most perfect flower that has ever yet been de- 
veloped by the tree of humanity. It is the sweetest place on earth. 
There is music in the word home that will ring in the ears of 
a wayward boy long after he leaves his native spot to roam. 
To the old it brings a bewitching strain from the harp of mem- 
ory; to the young it is a remiiicjer of all that is near and dear. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 137 

A cheerful home and smiling face do more to make good 
men and women than all the learning and eloquence that can 
be used. 

The sweetest words in our language are "Mother, Home and 
Heaven," and one might almost say the word home includes them 
all, for who can think of home without remembering the gentle 
mother who sanctified it by her presence ! And is not home the 
dearest name for heaven? We think of that better land as a 
home where brightness will never end in night. 

Oh, then, may our homes on earth be the centers of all 
our joys; may they be as green spots in the desert, to which 
we can retire when weary of the cares and perplexities of life 
and drink the clear waters of a love which we know to be sin- 
cere and always unfailing. 

Let earthly sorrows howl like storms and roll like seas ; but 
there's peace at home. Home ! Let thorns pierce and empires 
fall. Give me home. Home ! Let the world die in earthquake 
struggles and be buried amid procession of planets and spheres. 
Home ! Let everlasting ages roll in irresistible sweep. Home ! 
Mother's love ! Mother's tears ! Father's kindness ! Sister's 
gentleness ! Brother's manliness ! This is home ! Sweet home ! 
Beautiful home ! Glorious home ! May the sunshine of cheer, 
hope and gladness, loving words of kindness and sweetest love 
ever abide around the hearthstones of this sacred spot called 
home. 

How often do we hear people speak of the home of their 
childhood? Their minds seem to delight in dwelling upon the 
recollections of joyous days spent beneath the parental roof, 
when their young and happy hearts were as free as the birds 
who made the woods resound with the melody of their cheerful 
voices. What a blessing it is, when, weary with care, and bur- 
dened with sorrow to have a home to which we can go, and 
there, in the midst of friends we love, forget our troubles and 
dwell in peace and quietude. 

There is something in the word Home that creates a long- 
ing desire to eat the biscuit that mother used to make, or to 
lie upon the bed that was made by the gentle hands of mother. 

Other hands may be as fair, other food may be as palatable, 
other beds on which to rest may be as comfortable; other scen- 
eries may be as grand; yet our longing heart wanders back to 
that dear old place called home. 

It is not merely friends and relationships which render that 
place so dear, but the very hills and brooks and meadows throw 
a charm around the native place of childhood's happy hours. 

The rose that bloomed in the garden where we wandered in 
childish glee and innocence is lovely in its bloom, and more 
lovely in its decay. 

No son<rs are sweeter than those we heard among the shadv 
boughs. No birds warble more gaily, no sunset more beautiful. 



138 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

No waters are brighter than the clear silvery stream that winds 
among the flower-decked knolls. 

No memories are dearer than childhood scenes and no senti- 
ments are more beautiful than those entwined about the home- 
stead of years gone by. 

We may wander away from the parental roof and form new 
friendships and fancies until we have almost forgotten the land 
of our birth ; but at some evening hour, as we listen to the au- 
tumn winds, the remembrance of other days will come over the 
soul, and memory bears us back to childhood scenes. We roam 
again on the shaded hillside and press the hands c)f compan- 
ions long since cold in the grave, and listen to voices we shall 
hear on earth no more. 

It is then we would like to hear the song of "My Old Ken- 
tucky Home," which will fill the eyes with tears and is music 
to the soul. 

The foreign prisoner, torn from his willow-braided hut, and 
borne away to the land of strangers and of toil, weeps as he 
thinks of home and sighs and pines for the cocoa land beyond the 
waters of the sea. Years may have passed over him ; strifes and 
toil may have crushed his spirits ; all his kindred may have found 
graves upon the corals of the ocean; yet, were he free, how 
soon would he seek the shores and skies of his boyhood dreams ! 

The New England mariner, amid the icebergs of the North- 
ern seas, or breathing the spicy gales of the evergreen isles, or 
coasting along the shores of the Pacific, tho' the hand of Time 
may have blanched his raven locks, and cares have plowed deep 
furrows on his brow, and his heart has been chilled by the storms 
of the ocean till the fountains of his love have almost ceased 
to gush with the heavenly current ; yet, upon some summer's eve- 
ning, as he looks upon the sun sinking behind the western wave, 
he will think of home ; his heart will yearn for the loved of other 
days, and his tears flow like the summer rain. 

How, after long years of absence, does the heart of the wan- 
derer beat, and his eyes fill, as he catches a glimpse of the hills 
of his nativity, and when he has pressed the lips of a brother or 
sister, how soon does he hasten to see if the garden, and the 
orchard and the stream look as in days gone by? We may find 
climes as beautiful, and skies as bright, and friends as devoted ; 
but that will not usurp the place of home. 

Home is the place of comfort, whether it be the mansion of 
rich or the humble cabin of the poor, whether the palace of kings 
amid luxury or the sacred manger amid beasts and poverty, there 
is no place like home. 

I wish I could shake the hand of the author of "Home, Sweet 
Home." Though he lies beneath the sod, his words still live and 
burn, " 'Mid pleasures and palaces, tho' we may roam ; Be it 
ever so humble, there's no place like home." 

Home is a charming word in which Hes untold melody. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 139 

Home is a picture of undying affection, showing the old oaken 
bucket which hung in the well. A picture showing the bare- 
footed boys as they wade in the rippling brook, the scenery of 
cattle and lambs grazing in the summer shade on the grassy hill- 
side, the remembrance of boys and girls in youthful glee as they 
roam in the meadow, and the scenery of an honest farmer, whose 
locks were silver and gray, as he knelt with the family to offer 
praise to the God who helped him to toil thru the summer's 
sun. 

Upon the home drops the sunshine of beauty and the shadow 
of tender sorrow, the echo of baby voices and fond memories. 

Home is more beautiful than the sparkling diamond, more de- 
lightful than the gHttering fountain, more melodious than the 
thrilling voice of a singing bird, brighter than the twinkling stars, 
more glorious than the glow of sunset, fairer than the whitest 
lily, purer than the uncankered pearl, and more peaceful than 
the white wings of an angel. The children may cover home 
with grass and wild flowers, the wealthy may endeavor to 
cover it with their pearls and diamonds, the kings may try to 
conceal it under their crowns, the home may be buried beneath 
the melting mass of a volcano, but some bright warm day it 
would flash from among the gems, and breathe from among 
the flowers, and shine from among the coronets, and the world 
would behold it in all its beauty, brighter and fairer than human 
eyes could behold and sweeter and purer than mortal tongues 
could speak. 



LOVE. 



If any word in the English language thrills my heart and 
inspires my pen more than another, it is Love. Love is the 
mother of everything noble, grand and good. 

In other lectures I have discussed "Love" in a general 
way, but here I want to confine my thoughts to the Love of 
sweetheart, in courtship and marriage. 

The mature man who dies without having loved one pure 
woman did not live — he only existed. 

Water seeks its level. Love seeks love. Love craves love. 
Love must find love. True love never led a man to error. It 
never will. It is only a mock fancy under the false robe 
called love that breaks the human heart and blights the life 
with black despair. The light of love will guide your feet 
aright. 

The young man is a fool who says that he loves a girl 
simply because she is beautiful. 

This love is about as lasting as the beauty — "skin deep." 
This love is not deep enough to reach the heart or high 
enough to reach the upper story of the brain. 



140 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

The man who loves for passion's sake or the sexual lover 
is a human beast. 

If you really love that sweetheart of yours, your love will 
win her love. Remember, it's love that wins love. 

Mismated love is not true love. It is a false imagination. 
I mean to say that a ragpicker or a glutton cannot love a 
ciueen; neither could the queen love the glutton. When I 
say queen, I don't mean the female ruler of a nation. I mean 
a sweet, lovable, worthy, high-minded woman. Every woman 
ought to aspire to be a queen. 

Nothing short of queenliness can win the love of a sen- 
sible, true, intelligent man. 

Love surmounts the mountain of success. Love cannot 
fail. 

Love will soar aloft to grander heights and continue its 
ceaseless flight till it finds its own. 

God meant for every man to love one woman and every 
woman to love one man. 

You can "love everybody" only in a Christlike way. 

I am talking about a sweetheart's love. The young man 
who loves all the girls — loves no one. He loves to no good 
purpose. 

Love is often abused, misused, and misunderstood to a 
painful degree. The man who loves every woman could just 
as well love a bean-pole dressed in woman's clothes — if he 
thought it was a woman. This is not love. It's lust. It's the 
influence of an evil mind. We haven't enough real, true love 
in this old world. The very thoughts of love are a joy and a 
blessing. Love sheds its fragrance to sweeten the air and 
blooms to beautify the human race. When a young man wins 
the undying love of the one whom he calls sweetheart, he 
is indeed a king. 

When two young people love for the sake of love and 
love each other for what each other is, then love has met 
love and two lives are thus transformed to a higher phase. 

Love ascends; it never lowers an object. It elevates, it 
harmonizes, it crystallizes and Christianizes, 

Love classifies, it sanctifies and glorifies. Love makes he- 
roes of noble men and heroines of splendid women. It sweet- 
ens life, it sips the sweets from the spring flowers and glad- 
dens grief. 

Love is not measured by intellect. Happy matches have 
been made where one was eminent and the other unlearned. 
But love was there. 

Show me a grander sight than two lovers on a summer 
evening. 

Look at their bright eyes, their contented look and their 
gladsome smiles. Look at the lover bending to pluck a flower 
to pin in her hair. Look at her blushing cheek as he "fixes" 
it there. She is a queen and he is a king. God made them 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 141 

so. Love keeps them so. Hear them talk about the future and 
its expected brightness. Even their very air castles are beautiful 
on their lofty flights. Sail on 3'e air castle ! for the wings of 
love will carry thee above the darkened valleys. Sail on 1 tho' 
ye fall from lofty heights, the blooming earth will catch thee 
in its soft arms. 

Search life among the fields of beauty, travel among the won- 
ders of the mysterious world, visit the galleries of art or be- 
hold the sunset sky ablaze with red and gold, but you will 
find no scene so beautiful or no life so sweet or no brighter 
hopes than the two sweethearts strolling side by side in the 
paradise of love. I like to think of this. The very thoughts 
lure me. 

Not long ago I saw this sweetheart love revealed in chil- 
dren. This occurred in a beautiful Florida town. I was read- 
ing my mail in the post-office lobby, and, looking up, I saw a 
small school boy of about the age of seven, standing at the 
writing desk in the act of addressing a post-card. When I 
looked at him he hesitated, and I interfered by offering to ad- 
dress it for him. He blushed, and accepted my offer, and at 
his request I addressed the card to a little girl who lived in the 
same town. "Now, what shall I put here, sonny?" said I, point- 
ing to the space for correspondence. His face grew red and 
he hesitated to tell, but I assured him that I would gladly write 
what he wanted, and then he asked me to write the following 
verse : 

"The ocean is wide 

And you can't step it; 
And I love you 

And you can't help it." 

Then he took the card eagerly and dropped it into the mail 
box. Don't tell me that children can't love. 

Why, I had a sweetheart at the age of seven and to me 
her very tracks in the mud were sweet. The pink ribbon on her 
hair was sweeter than any flower that ever grew. Let the children 
love. Rob them not of one golden hour. Pots of gold could 
not hire my hand to plant one thorn along love's fair way. Then 
tread softly, fair lovers, and let the light of thine eye tell its 
story. ^ Let thy silver laughter float across the perfume-ladened 
fields till it loses its music in the distance. 

Let your hearts beat in harmony, so that each heart-beat of 
one will aid each heart-beat of the other. If your love is true, 
no earthly obstacle can stay you apart. Love multiplied by love 
will never fail. 

Love will win. 

Love is like arithmetic. Love multiplied by more love, divided 
by harmony, subtracted from selfishness and added to courage^ 
makes happiness. See? 



142 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Try life's problem thus and see that "figures don't lie." 
Let's try some more arithmetic. Add the following tO 
love and find the result: 

Addition, 

Love — 
Unselfishness 
Praise 
Gratitude 
Nobility 
Courage 
Hope 
Optimism 
Kindness 
Chivalry 
Purity 
Religion 

fDuty well performcS. 
Beauty of character 
Neatness 
Grace 
Cleanliness 
Attention 
Cheerfulness 
And a good disposition. 

Happiness ' ^^»^ __ 

is the grand sum. It is easy to find that the result is happi- 
ness. 

A happy life is made from the many elements of good. 

I do not want the love of a woman who would only love 
for money, fame or achievement. I do not want the love 
of a woman who loves me for the bright prospects of my 
future. I want her love because I give her my love. I want 
our love to meet on equal grounds. 

True love can find love that's just as true. 

I like to think of life in the light of this kind of love. 

I like to think of lovers always remaining sweethearts. 
Every husband and wife should still be sweethearts. They 
will, too, if their love is of the royal, loyal blue. 

I like to see a w'ife always remain as the husband's bride. 
Silver hair should only beautify her bridehood, or, rather, 
glorify it. Man and wife should live over their courtship 
days again. 

Live your childhood over. 

Kiss each other fondly. 

Caress often. Never grow sour. Look sweet and clean 
and never let the fire of love cease to burn. Pity the home 
where love is not. The saddest abode on earth is where 
the only love that is, and that ever was, is sexual love. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 143 

There is enough meaning in this little word — Love, to adorn 
classic lore forever. The highest ambition that a man can have 
in this life is to become the worthy husband of a splendid, queen- 
ly, pure woman who can really return his love. 

The highest calling to which a woman can aspire is to become 
the wife of some lovable, strong, courageous, honest man. 

Oh, don't fly over the mountain of gold to gather the silverine 
in the valley beyond. 



LOVERS. 



Let the flowers wither — 

And let our friendship die! 
But let us walk together 

Beneath the Southern sky. 
Let us walk as lovers 

And thus our life is glad; 
Your lips are sweeter honey 

Than flowers ever had. 

The silver-throated songsters 

Cheer us on the way — 
And thine eyes are brighter 

Than the noon-time May. 
And our hearts are beating 

As if they were one — 
While we are basking 

In the May-day sun. 

Love will make us happy 

In our earthly lot; 
For life is not worth living 

To them that have it not. 
We shall still be sweethearts 

When our hairs are gray; 
For Love like blooming flowers, 

Will beautify our way. 



*■ 



REJOICE. 

Text: Rejoice evermore. — I. Thessalonians, 5:16. 
Subject: Rejoice Evermore. 

It is my glad object in this brief discourse, to show the Chris- 
tian how to rejoice evermore. 

Ages ago the devil started a little sermon ringing in the 



144 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Christian's ear that it took a long face and a sour disposition to 
be a Christian and as evidence that so many people are ever 
ready to serve the devil, to-day, there are almost countless so- 
called Christian people who go around with their eyes turned 
down and their nose turned up. I know some folks who haven't 
laughed for so long, that if something real funny should happen, 
their faces would screak like a new saddle. The devil is happy 
and all hell is glad when he finds a person who is long-faced, 
whiney, sour, gloomy, fault-finding, pessimistic and blue. 

The devil says, "Be sad, there is no joy to be had in a Chris- 
tian's life." Paul says, "Rejoice evermore." Whom are you 
going to obey? "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." "Ye 
cannot serve two masters." Let us be like the little boy whose 
father was laying the hickory across his back at the rate of about 
"a mile a minute" and the boy was dancing at one end and cry- 
ing at the other. The boy said, "pray, papa, pray !" but the hotter 
it got! "Say, papa," said the boy, "let's look to the Lord and 
be dismissed." 

That boy had an idea of my text. Let us hang a few smiles 
on our lips, be done with our long faces and "look to the Lord 
and be dismissed." 

Don't say you have "the blues" when you can so easily "look 
to the Lord and be dismissed." 

Do you know why there are so many long-faced Christians 
in the church? It's because they are always expecting to find 
shadows of gloom and borrow trouble from to-morrow instead 
of enjoying to-day. They fail to perform their duty in the 
eternal "now." An old lady, really quite well, was always com- 
plaining of her poor health. Her various ailments were to her 
the most interesting topic in the world. One day a neighbor 
found her eating a hearty meal, and asked her how she was. 

"Poor me," she sighed. "I feel very well, but I always feel 
bad when I feel well, because I know I am going to feel worse 
afterward." 

The devil is forever trying to preach his favorite sermon in 
your ear to the effect that a Christian must carry a long face 
and a sad heart in order to be a Christian. It's direct from the 
devil ; yet some, yea ! many, are living it every day. 

Some men say, "Get thee behind me, Satan," and put him 
in their hip-pocket. 

Yes, sir, some folks are always expecting trouble, always in- 
viting fault and discord. Even it is plain to see this spirit re- 
vealed in the children. To illustrate my point I will illustrate 
thusly : A young lady teacher was instructing a small boy about 
the points of the compass when she explained : to your right 
is the south, to your left is the north, in front of you is east — 
now what is behind you? The boy studied for a moment, then 
puckered up his face and bawled. "I knew it," said the boy, "I 
told ma you'd see that patch on my pants." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 145 

Again, another cause of so many sour Christians is because 
they grow so cold and inactive in service. 

They're like an old lady at the revival meeting who was 
asked if she loved the Lord. "Well," said she, "I ain't got 
nothin* ag'in Him." 

People would like to be happy, but they don't know how. 
Hundreds of folks wear a long face and don't know the cause 
of their trouble. They remind me of an old man who was asked 
why he was a Methodist. "Oh, yes," said the old man ; "I'll 
tell you how it is. Last spring I went down to New Orleans 
visitin'. While I was there I went to church, and I heard 'em 
say they had left undone them things they'd oughter done, and 
done them things they hadn't oughter done, and I said to my- 
self, 'That's jest my fix, too,' and I found out that was a Metho- 
dist church, and I've been a Methodist ever since." Some folks 
are always expecting trouble. When the telephone first came 
out, an old farmer could hardly believe that he could talk to his 
wife over the wire. 

He was finally persuaded to try, and about the time he took 
down the receiver the 'phone was struck by lightning and knocked 
him backwards. He got up and said, "that was shore Jane, all 
right." 

Always expecting trouble. 

There is something sad about my text, regarding the sinner. 
"Rejoice evermore." It is impossible for the sinner who is 
a stranger to the Savior of men. There is no rejoicing in hell. 
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Sinners, get on 
the safe side and rejoice evermore. 

The Christian who keeps busy, looks upward and presses on- 
ward is sure to be happy. 

The lack of faith causes unhappiness. 

During a revival meeting a father and all his sons but one 
had professed religion. The preacher went to this boy and said, 
"Are you going to stay back when your father and all your 
brothers have joined?" "Well," said the boy, "father said one 
of us would have to stay out and drive the ox." "O ye of little 
faith." 

Let me tell you how to be cheerful. Dismiss your frowns. 
Believe the word which says, "And we know that all things 
work together for good to them that love God." Laugh often, 
work hard, slander not, boost others, envy not, speak kindly 
find smile evermore. 

Don't let the smile slide off and leave a sickly grin — but smile 
from your heart and it will adorn your face with beauty and your 
soul with gladness. 

If I knew the place where smiles are kept, 

No matter how large the key, 
Or strong the bolt, I'd try so hard — 
I 'Twould open, I know, for me. 



146 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Then over the land and sea broadcast 

I'd scatter the smiles to play, 
That the children's faces might hold them fast 

For many and many a day. 

If I knew a box that is large enough 

To hold all the frowns I meet, 
I'd like to gather them every one 

From nursery, school and street. 
Then folding and holding, I'd pack them in, 

And turning the monster key, 
I'd have a giant to drop the box 

To the depths of the deep blue sea. 



ADAM AND EVE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN. 

In the dawn of a century that is sleeping, on the morning of 
a day that is sealed from historic memory, a gentleman walked 
in the Garden of Eden alone. 

On this dateless day, after every kind of animal that has once 
roamed the globe had been created, that wondrous specimen 
called man stood amazed and alone in God's imperial garden, and, 
yet, there was not one that had the tongue to tell him he was 
welcome. 

Everywhere he saw a matchless splendor that he could not 
believe. The birds then built their nests in new made forests 
and sang their songs in boughs whose leaves still glistened with 
the pearls of the first morning in the world. Cardinals fluttered 
each morning in rippling streams and sat in sun-lit willows, steal- 
ing the golden glories from the sunbeams and dyeing their plu- 
mage with its unfading radiance. Blackbirds without number 
swarmed in maple shades, their plumage glistened with the 
darkness from the first long night and kissed to golden by the 
lips of dawn. Yet immortal man saw nothing of the world's 
splendor. The laughing streams that flowed in sun and shade 
brought naught to him but their burden of sorrow, and the 
mighty river whose circling eddies mirror the moonlight and 
the stars, whose foaming shoals, leaping in glory and catching 
the rainbow in their spray only tire him with their never ending 
sound. The kings of the air and the forest came near and 
stopped awhile in silence, as if listening for a command from 
their new-made king; and hearing no sound from those lips of 
clay, they stole away and left him lonelier than before. Weary 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 147 

with the wonders of this new world this first mortal walked in 
Eden's courts, breathing the perfume from a thousand beds of 
roses and poppies that bow their heads and blush in modesty at 
the presence of a man. And there upon a bed of roses, with 
sunlight for a blanket, old Adam fell asleep, for floating in the 
fragrance of the poppies was the spirit of slumber. What vis- 
ions may have haunted his dreams we know not. Hardly was it 
a dreamless sleep like that which ends a day of long despair; 
more likely it was a period of quiet rest, in which the soul freed 
from daily struggle goes out in search of light of love, com- 
muning with kindred spirits, and then returns to the temple of 
a man, renewed by hopes of a resurrected day, revived by joys 
which the waking world will never know. On his first awakening 
man saw the fulfillment of God's best promise for the happiness 
of mankind. In the glory of morning man saw the immaculate 
queen of Eden with the light of God's life in her smiling face 
and he became indeed "king of kings" and "lord of lords," and 
then it was that Eden first became a Paradise. God had smiled 
and in his smile was the light of morning. Side by side they 
walked thru gleaming sun and fleeting shade, and when day was 
done and night came they slept amid a wilderness of flowers. 
And when morning came again they beheld the splendors of a 
paradise, a paragon of beauty lovelier than an angel's dream. 
But by and by the scene is changed, the garden is closed and two 
pilgrims journeyed thru the gloom bearing the burdens of the 
world. God had frowned and in his frown was darkness more 
terrible than the gloom of tempests. And there was begun that 
weary march through countless ages of toil and misery when hu- 
manity wandered without a guide, seeking the light from earth's 
paradise, yet catching no glimpse of its lost splendor; for from 
the tongueless silence of the past there came no word of love. 

So you see, my friends, it was woman who woke man from 
his first sweet slumber; and he has been losing sleep over her 
ever since. 

From the dawn of the first day to the close of the last sad 
hour human life is ever a mystery, a strange mingling of hu- 
morous stories and pathetic scenes. Paupers and princes are 
born each day, and the shadows of every night are falling alike 
upon the tombs of the great and the desolate graves of the 
poor. 

Living in a world that formed, where toiling millions are 
bowed by the weight of honest toil and kings and queens are 
wearing their crowns seated upon a throne of gold, yet I thank 
God that I can see a smile of gladness on the faces of those who 
bear the burdens of the world. I would that the king would 
take his crown of gold and give the beggar a bed, and every 
diamond would be worth the brightest star in the heavens; 
Would that the queen of fashion would become imbued with a 
greater love for humanity and make a pillow of her robes for 



148 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

that head forever bowed with toil and care, and when the Queen 
lay upon her own pillow she could see through the darkness of 
the night, one star brighter than all the pomp of fashion along 
the Milky Way, one star that never fades — the star of love. 

I want the world to know that 1 am and will ever be, a friend 
to labor ; and those who bow their heads in toil shall always have 
a mortgage on my heart. 

It's not the new found friend you meet; 

It's all in the friends you hold; 
For an honest friend up to the end 

Is worth his weight in gold. 
Perhaps it's true that faces new 

Some passing joys impart, 
But the steadfast friends are the ones who stay 

With a mortgage on your heart. 

No day was ever so dark but that we could see thru the 
shadows some straggling beams of sunlight; no night was ever 
so rough that we could not hear an angel's whisper in the passing 
breeze. As I grew and wandered by the stream of life, each day 
repeating over and over again, the query of the origin and its 
destiny, one day it seemed to murmur an intelligent story and 
as I looked into its quiet face I beheld the heavens anew, and as 
I heard its wondrous history I thought of the countless thou- 
sands of the dead who had drifted with the tide. Born in the 
shadows of some distant dale, this stream has followed through 
silent centuries to the sea, and the same unanswered questions of 
its mystery have sounded thru wooded hills and died away on 
sun-kissed vales. What a type of human life ! As it flows I 
think I hear the pulse beat of the ages. In its tranquil moments 
I see the soul that lies in slumber undisturbed by life's momen- 
tous questions, uninfluenced by ambition's restless dreams. But 
as its spray and its foam are broken in the air, or lost in the 
sands, I hear the heart throb that bespeaks a night of tempest 
and of storm. Flowing on, the river administering its mercies 
to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, giving new life 
to the lilies on the way and fresh fragrance to the flowers that 
kiss above its tide, and greater glory to the boughs that bend 
above it with their eternal blessing, and then at last, lost in the 
embrace of oceans I see the lights of its splendor in the rainbow's 
crimson tide ; and I read the blessed promise that the little stream 
will flow on till the last trump shall sound and the fragrance of 
the last flower has faded from the world. 

And when this blessed day shall come, may we answer present! 
to the roll call and enter into the joys of a new and better life 
where no thorns are mingled with flowers. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 149 

CHRISTMAS SERMON. 
Text: Luke 2:14: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men." 

The sun was fastly sinking over the Judean hills and the low- 
ing herds were winding their way homeward. The shepherds on 
the hillsides were carefully watching their sheep, and also watch- 
ing the shades of night as they gathered around them. Glorious 
evening! the closing out of types and shadows, and the ushering 
in of the dispensation of Grace ! Was ever an evening so grand ! 

Here and there the village torches are being lighted, and in 
the city of David there are many bright, happy faces, and crowd- 
ed inns, until there is at last no more room for the two late 
arrivals— Joseph and his wife Mary. The night wore on and the 
shepherds of Judea were sleeping midst their silent flocks. The 
dew was on the grass and all nature was in hushed repose. Of 
a sudden the sky was lighter with a heavenly glory and a voice 
announced the birth of a child in Bethlehem, the city of David. 
The angel sang: "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, 
good will to men." 

The shepherds were awakened by heaven's voice of joy, and 
from the hillsides were watching the heavenly lights, when they 
were suddenly startled by the brilliancy of the sky and the ap- 
pearance of a heavenly messenger which announced to earth a 
new song, a song of cheer and gladness to every weary, sin-sick 
soul. What was the theme of their song? Was it one of fame and 
wealth? No, it was the glad song of redernption: "For unto 
you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ 
the Lord." The shepherds were sore afraid, but the angel bade 
them "Fear not." Then, as the announcement was _ made, the 
hosts of Heaven broke forth in one angelic strain saying, "Glory 
to God in the highest ! and on earth peace, good will to men." 

From that hour the world has been different. Now the Con- 
solation of Israel has come. He was to be the Savior of the 
whole world, for the angels had announced to the shepherds that 
the good news was to all people — Jew and Gentile alike. ^ Oh, 
glorious day when Christ was l3orn, a gift most precious given; 
one of which we never tire; God's gift to a sinful fallen race; 
a "Pearl of great price." 

Nearly two thousand years ago, God gave to the world the 
greatest "Christmas gift" the world has ever known — "The 
Prince of Peace." 

And again the passing year brings us face to face with another 
Christmas occasion, and our hearts feel the thrill of the ap- 
proaching day. There is no other day in our calendar like it. It 
celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ among men. He came in 
the form of a babe, and was made in the likeness of men. He 
grew in stature and increased in wisdom. At the age of thirty 
he took his place as the Prophet, Priest and King, and at the end 
of three years his work was finished and he ascended on hifi;h, 



150 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

leading captivity captive and bringing good gifts to men. Since 
then the centuries have passed by ; generations have come and 
gone ; old nations liave died and new ones have been born ; cen- 
ters of kingdoms and empires have been the playthings of pro- 
gress and discovery; and to-day "Christ is the same yesterday, 
to-day and forever." He has lived with the centuries, expanded 
with the generations and kept pace with discovery, until now he 
is the most dominant force in the civilization and spiritual per- 
ception of enlightened mankind. In his temples of worship and 
around his altars of praise, multiplied millions are gathering to 
hear of his love and to participate in his adoration. All around 
the inhabited earth the song is now being heard — "Glory to God 
in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

Indeed! His mission was "peace" and "good will." We see 
Him going about doing good, feeding the hungry, visiting the 
sick, healing the blind, and comforting the sorrowful and afflicted. 
We see Him weeping at the grave of Lazarus, forgiving the sins 
of Mary Magdalene, raising from the dead the son of the widow 
of Nain — always doing good. 

But good and kind as He was, He was permitted even by the 
multitudes whom He had healed and blessed, to suffer alone 
and undefended. We hear the cry of the mob madly demanding 
His crucifixion. And then we follow Him up Calvary's hill and 
witness the greatest tragedy the world has ever known ; a trag- 
edy upon which the sun refused to shine and the earth trembled 
in darkness. From the short ministry on earth of this Man of 
Galilee came a creed so simple, a religion so pure that it has 
been embraced by the civilized nations of the earth. Those even 
who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ are strongly appealed to 
by the story of His life and death, and are frank to acknowledge 
that of all the world's heroes He is the greatest. 

And He was the humblest, tenderest hero of His day. The 
sick he met with love and healing. The children He drew into 
His arms. The sinful came to Him for love and forgiveness, 
and found the life that is really life. He wept over the grave of 
Lazarus and over the great city that he would have redeemed. 
He dreamed by the seaside, he spent nights on the cool mountain- 
side in prayer. 

He organized His disciples in a simple manner for home mis- 
sionary work, and reduced the whole argument and plan of the 
future foreign work to a few sentences that stand as our march- 
ing orders to-day. 

His mission was so unselfish. "I am come that men might 
have life," said Jesus, "and have it more abundantly." 

And his blessings were not only to "men" or "grown-ups," 
but He sweetly said, "Suffer little children to come unto me." 

The notes of the "joy-song" of two thousand years ago still 
ring sweetly in our ears and from every Christian heart comes a 
note of praise for the blessed Redeemer. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 151 

But many forget — in their own joy, that all do not have "glad 
tidings," 

The world has a strange habit of hiding away under the 
glamor of visible beauty and brightness much that would moisten 
the eyes to see, and burden the heart to know. In city streets, 
where joyous throngs on pleasure bent crowd the pathways, 
the air is full of laughter and the pleasant speech of men and 
women to whom the world is kind. The evergreen holly, with its 
ruddy berries, the flowers with radiant color, the fruits that find 
summer in palaces of glass, vie with the diamonds and rubies 
that rich men buy to prove their Christmas kindness, and the 
laughter that we hear sounds like a general chorus to the bursts 
of music that from all sorts of places try to tune the hearts of 
the listeners to the festival of "Christmas time." 

Christmas to some is "hell on earth," not "peace on earth." 

There are young girls driven by drunken parents into the 
streets at midnight, when the Christmas bells are ringing; wives 
beaten by men fresh from saloon bars where they were making 
ready for Christmas day. What must God think when groans 
and shrieks from helpless human lips rise up from sordid homes, 
and mingle with the music of the bells that tell the world that 
God's Son loved them all and came to earth to bring good will 
and peace? Or rather, what should Christian mothers think, and 
Christian fathers do, to end the discord and give to the Christ 
the world he died to save? 

Christmas should mean "Christ-day." 

The true purpose of the Christ day is this : To bring together 
the fortunate, happy, blessed people who have precious things in 
abundance, and the poor, sick, friendless, ragged hungry ones 
who are despairing — the people who have no true knowledge of 
the best. And they meet, these two sorts of people, to ma^ce 
merry together, not for the comfortable to make the wretched 
forget their pain by their gifts and leave them, but to be happ> 
together for Christ's sake on Christ's day. Now, this can be 
done by those who have little money but much love, which is def- 
ter. Tn my short journey thru the world, in great cities full of 
wealth, or country places where a few hundred live, I have dis- 
covered street and village where death or misfortune had needv 
victims, where there were lonely, empty lives. Everywhere there 
is someone who would be grateful for a loving word, everywhere 
is a need in man or woman or child, and the Christmas season 
seems cruel to those who have no friends, few clothes, and poor, 
hard fare. Every mother out of her mother love could do a little 
for them, give them a present of the Christmas sacrificial good. 
It might cost something more precious than money, cost thought 
and time and love, but the good it did would be worth so much 
more — just to steal away the burden of pain from a breaking 
heart for the Christmas day. 

That is what Christ came to do — ^to bless by giving Himself. 



152 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

He never had much money, the Man of Galilee, but He had 
love, and because He gave that. His followers will at last all be 
saved from sin and sorrow. Sometimes I think that men who 
give money without love, do much harm. We have to give our- 
selves to do good to our fellowmen. 

Now let us understand the "oneness" of Christ and God. 

Do you know what God is like? You went up on the hilltop 
across the soft stillness of the dewy moss, in the morning twi- 
light, heard the twitter of birds and saw the splendid colors of 
the sunrise. For thousands of years men have done that and have 
whispered vague and conflicting ideas of God. The botanist, 
watching the unfolding of a flower, said, "I saw God passing by 
and bowed my head in worship." The astronomer, watching the 
stars thru a telescope, exclaimed : 'T think thy thoughts after 
thee, O God !" . . 

When we praise Christ, we praise God too. 

"He that hath seen me hath seen— the Father !" What ! What 
new voice applies this new term to God? It is the voice of the 
Bethlehem Child, grown to manhood with character untarnished 
and with vision undimmed. "He that hath seen me hath seen 
the Father!" What kind of a father? "Hath I been so long 
with you and thou hast not seen me? He that hath seen Me 
hath seen the Father." "No man cometh unto the Father but by 
Me." 

God is the kind of Father who produces this kind of Son ; 
God is the kind of Father to whom this Son prays. 

What is the miracle of Christ's life and why, around the 
globe, this Christmas tribute to the Child of Bethlehem, the Man 
of Galilee? When we want to know what God is like in human 
terms — in mind, in morals, in love — we go to Jesus Christ, who, 
in this very sense, said : "I and My Father are one." When we 
want to know what man or woman may be — how pure, how lov- 
able, how strong, how heroic, how unswerving in duty, how ten- 
der in affection — we go to Him who said, "I can of mine own 
self do nothing" ; "The Father is greater than I" ; "I am in the 
Father and the Father in me," and we say, in the Apostle's lan- 
guage : "No man hath seen God at any time ; He hath declared 
Him !" and "In Him was Hfe, and the life was the light of men." 

Surely He is great who is the Father of Calvary's hero. 

It is God who spreads the roseate curtains of the dawn, and 
shoots them thru with far-sent rays of light. The clouds are his 
chariot, the winds his messengers, the roaring sea his obedient 
subject. Animate nature but lives to breathe of Him. The bud- 
ding vines, the shooting grasses, the rocky retreats, are proofs of 
his forethought for the creatures of his hand that shall need food 
and shelter. Man, like the rest, shares in the overflowing bounty 
of a sufficient God. Not even the reign of death, the volcano, 
the trembling earth, the fading of type, and the return of living 
beauty to the soil can compare to God's wisdom; for He is the 
author of power. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 153 

And God and Christ are one. 

Wonderful, unique indeed, must be the Man whose birth 
hour could produce all this; whose memory, coming down thru 
the ages, could bring to men so much that is gladdening and hope- 
inspiring and joy-producing. And when we reckon all things 
up, is it not true that Jesus Christ does, even in our day, live in 
all that is best and brightest in human life; that he is supreme 
in all that is high and holy and happy in human experience, and 
claims a homage infinitely beyond all others in its gratitude and 
love ? And the call of the Christmastide is to be glad in the con- 
sciousness of these great truths. 

Yet there is sadness in some homes. Death's shadows darken 
the Christmas day of many. 

No guardian angel guards the way for a space on either side. 
Year after year one is called from busy gift selection and joyful 
preparations to attend a funeral just before, just after, or even 
on Christmas day. We cannot turn our heads and say "Not 
now" to the angel of death. Instead we must meet him in the 
midst of the holly and the evergreens, the Christmas trees and 
the world's joy. 

Isn't there something in this Christmas anniversary great 
enough to meet and carry grief? When "God so loved the world 
that He gave His only begotten Son," had He no thought of the 
weary and the heavy laden and the sorrowful? 

"In all their afflictions He was afflicted, and the angel of 
His presence saved them ; in His love and in His pity He re- 
deemed them; and He bare them and carried them all the days 
of old." 

Did not Isaiah with prophetic eyes see the need of a Savior 
for a sad and afflicted world as well as a Savior of sinners? Was 
not the comforting of our griefs planned for by the Prince of 
Peace from before the foundation of the world? And when the 
angels sang "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good 
will to men," wasn't the promise of peace for the storm-tossed 
and heart-sick? 

The earthly side of the Christmastide, with its tinsel and 
bright lights, its dancing feet and joy of new possessions, often 
hides the heavenly vision of angels. Dark as grief's depths can 
be the song of the angels bids us look up, and Simeon's note of 
ecstatic joy in the fulfillment of prophecy, and his life hope, 
voice for us a promise of untold comfort. "A light to lighten the 
Gentiles," — lighten them in days of joy and nights of grief. The 
birth of Christ, the Savior of the world, which we commemorate 
at Christmas ; the resurrection of our Lord, brought back to us 
with renewed force at the Easter festival, are they not the prom- 
ise that grief shall last but a night, that joy cometh in the morn- 
ing? 

Personal sorrow makes us tender hearted toward the sor- 
rowing, careful for those less blessed than ourselves. Of all the 



154 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

wonderful Christ-like deeds of the Christmas time, many are in 
memory of those no longer on earth, while still others had their 
spring of action in a heart made sympathetic by deep experience. 

Our utmost efforts cannot quell the pain of loneliness, or fill 
the empty places, or drown the grief of loss, but the peace of the 
Christmas-tide, the promise of the angel's song, is for the sor- 
rowful as well as the glad. The unselfish participation in the joy 
of others, ana warm-hearted giving of ourselves and our treas- 
ure, lighten the burdens of sorrow, while the "peace" of the 
angel's song is the peace of God which passes all understand- 
ing. 

Now may heaven's blessings, God's benediction and Christ's 
pardon abide with us now and forever, Amen. 



TATTLERS. 



I want to tell what I think of tattlers, who spread with their 
unbridled tongues their poison in your homes, darken the lives of 
the innocent and steal away your happiness. I have more respect 
for a mangy dog that spends half his time scratching fleas, than 
this beastly animal known as a tattler. 

There are male and female tattlers. There are white and 
black tattlers. There are big, little, old and young tattlers whose 
hearts are black as the devil's kingdom come and as mean as 
highway robbers and cold-blooded murderers. They keep the 
whole communit}'' in commotion. They whisper, they speak softly 
and cautiously. They are murderers of character and thieves of 
reputation. Talk about rum, war, pestilence and famine ! These 
vile scavengers are worse than all combined. They are the 
greatest foes of society and the deadly enemy of purity. 

A tattler can do a very large business on a very small scale, 
and put out a very large amount of goods on a very small amount 
of capital. A wife in tears, a word spoken in a loud tone by 
the husband, or a frown by either is enough to keep their slimy 
tongues going for a week, while a thoughtless indiscretion of an 
innocent young girl is a sweet morsel for them to roll about in 
their mouths under their long tongues for months. 

"Now, don't mention it, dear, or, if you do, don't tell who 
told you." Cowards! What have they done but mention it? 
What have they done but told all they knew about it, and a good 
deal more thrown in for good measure? 

Hear them talk! "I saw Mrs. Black stop on the streets the 
other day and speak with Mr. Jones. I do wonder what they 
were talking about. I listened with both ears, but they talked 
so low and were so far away I could not distinguish what they 
said. Isn't it just awful? If her husband only knew how she 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 155 

was carrying on there would be trouble in that family. Some 
one ought to go and tell him. He ought to know it. I saw Mr. 
Jones smile, and you know what that means. Just look out for 
a scandal, there, dear, but don't say a word about who told you. 
I was standing at the window and couldn't help seeing them. And 
they're not the only ones in this town that's acting so scanda- 
lously. 

"It's just awful the way some girls act nowadays. Not 
later than the other night I saw Sadie Meeks out buggy riding 
with a boy and not even her little sister was with them. But 
don't mention my name, dear, for I don't want to have any trou- 
ble." 

Oh ! the cowards, thieves, assassins ! They know everything 
that happens in a neighborhood, and ten thousand things that 
don't happen. 

The tattler makes trouble between husband and wife and 
sows the seeds for a good crop of divorces. I can find no words 
sufficiently strong enough to express my contempt for slanderers, 
both male and female — the foul, forked-tongued sneakers, snakes 
in the grass. No language is strong enough to describe the 
brutality and meanness of their hearts. No words can picture the 
blackness of their ghoulish souls as they revel in the swill tubs 
of their own slime. The thief who steals your money is an 
angel compared with the one who robs you of your character. 

The foul-mouthed slanderer who steals your home of happi- 
ness and poisons the minds of your famil)% is a thousand times 
worse than they who, with a murderer's dagger, stabs the human 
heart to death. 

Thief, assassin, liar, murderer and coward are too mild terms 
to apply to the tattler. 

They may be church members, but their hypocrisy only deep- 
ens the hell-dyed hues of their sin-blackened hearts. 

It may be only a whisper, and given in the disguise of friend- 
ship or pity, but it goes out on swift wings to pierce an innocent 
soul. 

I am the sworn enemy of the tattler, the peddler of news, the 
meddlesome breeder of trouble and vile character assassin. 

They are a menace to society, and traces of their slime have 
followed rnany pure women to their graves. 

Dear friends, take my advice, the best I have ever given ; don't 
tattle. 



156 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

AN EVERY-DAY TALK TO YOUNG MEN 
ON "HEADS." 

Young fellows, I want to talk to you about heads. You all 
have heads ; some sheep heads, some beef heads, some semlin 
heads, some gourd heads, some hollow heads, some soft heads 
and some sound heads; but did it ever occur to you what they 
were for? Do you use your head for anything except a hatrack? 
Let me tell you something about the rough corners you are likely 
to run against as you trip merrily down the pathway of life. I 
was born among the rocks and sassafras bushes on a farm — and 
love the odor of fresh plowed land. I have been all along the 
trail, and left my footprints in the quicksands and some of my 
clothes on the thorns that reach out to tear the flesh of the 
weary pilgrim. I have read the sign boards and lost a good 
deal of time on the dirt roads. I have stumbled over the rocks 
and obstacles and found my way thru the fogs of ignorance. 

Young man, don't depend too much on the sign boards ; some 
of them glitter with gold, but they will lead you into the quag- 
mires of desolation. The right road is straight ahead. But 
let me get back to my subject. What is your head intended for? 
Are you putting anything in it, or are you going thru life with it 
empty, like an old tin can thrown out on the commons? Before 
I would go thru life with an empty head I would fill it up with 
sawdust and go away back and stand up and bawl like a hungry 
calf bawling for buttermilk. About the time the fuzz on a 
young man's lip begins to assume the dignity of hair, the first 
thing that is likely to attract his attention is a girl. Now, boys, 
it's all right to talk to the girls if you can grow a mustache ; and 
I suppose that you with white fuzz on your upper lip wish you 
had hair like a mule's tail. 

Many a young man when he sees a piece of female flesh 
wrapped up in a bundle of rags and calico comes waltzing down 
the pike, imagines that she is about the only girl in the world. 
Now, young man, listen to me : Just hang a barrel of salt or 
something heavier on the safety valve of your eagerness ; shut 
off the steam, and hold yourself to the ground. Let that girl 
flit by, and all other girls, till you get something in your head. 
There's plenty of them, and the breed will not run out — not till 
you have selected your partner and occupy a seat in the circus 
of double blessedness or troublous cussedness, according to the 
way you use your head. A pretty girl can fill an empty head 
quicker than a steam shovel can fill a pint cup, and when a young 
man gets his head full of girl he hasn't much room for anything 
else. Take my advice and fill your head with something else 
besides ribbons and laces, paint and powder. They may amuse 
and rest you now, but some time you will want to fill your head 
with knowledge when the best part of your life will have been 
spent, when your intellectual manhood will have decreased. While 
your mustache is growing, and your physical being is developing 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 157 

into the shapely form of healthy manhood, don't neglect your 
head. Put something in it besides tobacco juice, cigarettes and 
bad whiskey ; fill it up with useful knowledge and manly thoughts. 
Don't be afraid of overloading it. There is no objection to your 
hanging your hat on it, but don't, don't regard it simply as a 
hat-rack, I would advise, you, farther, not to fill your head with 
rubbish — the smoke-house or the dump-pile is the proper place 
for that. Reading dime novels like Jesse James will not qualify 
you to analyze the elements of the soil, to plead a case in law, 
teach a school, or preach the gospel. Trashy literature is what 
fools are made of. Did you ever think, young fellows, that the 
difference in men consists chiefly in what they put in their heads? 
Your head is intended not only as a storehouse of knowledge, 
but for a thinking machine. Some men use their head to think 
and acquire fame and fortune. This requires exertion and the 
burning of the midnight oil, but it pays good dividends. The man 
who thinks best may make the world his debtor by giving to it 
some great invention of exceptional utility and sail on flowery 
beds of ease. No man can think to good purpose with an empty 
head, A sawmill can't make lumber without material ; thought 
is manufactured from material stored up in the brain ; thought 
moves the world. It invented the telegraph, the steam engine, 
the airship, and the telephone ; it has revolutionized the world ; 
it has measured the distance to the sun, moon and stars ; it has 
abridged the broadest rivers and tunnelled under the highest 
mountains. The motive power of the world is the brain of man. 
Young man, what are you doing with your head? Are you 
chasing the butterflies of pleasure and following the will of the 
wisp of passion? If so, stop, stop to think, unless your head is 
too empty to think, in which case get some one to think for you. 
Begin to-day to put something in your head. 



THE POWER OF INFLUENCE. 

"None of us liveth unto himself, and no man dieth unto 
himself." — Rom. 4:7, 

One of the mightiest facts in the universe is that every 
man, woman and child exerts an influence. Everyone is 
either a sower that sows and corrupts, or a light that splen- 
didly illuminates; every one is as salt which purifies and 
preserves, or as canker which eats and destroys. All exert 
an influence. Some hold such positions that their influence 
is more extended than others, while there are lives which add 
their influence to the world unnoticed, shedding the sweet 
fragrance of their life upon humanity as a little flower un- 
seen in a great forest pours out its sweet odors upon the 



158 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

breezes. There are no moral blanks, no neutral characters 

among us. 

We are largely the product of influence. Everyone we 
ever met has contributed part of his life to ours. I believe in 
heredity. I am proud of my ancestr3\ I thank God that 
my people belonged to the nobility — the nobility of God — but 
1 am more thankful for the environments of my life. I be- 
lieve that heredity comes and cringes before influence. Keep 
with the good, and you will soon be one of them; go with 
the bad, and you will be one of them. 

Then, an influence is everlasting. It cannot die. The 
good it may accomplish or the harm it may do can only be 
estimated by God. Every action of our life sets forth an in- 
fluence which shall go on and on, growing larger and more 
extensive in each successive generation, either blessing hu- 
manity or blasting the race. 

In view of the fact that all exert an influence which is 
everlasting, one can easily see the grave responsibility of 
bearing influence. This is a wonderful power, this power of 
influence which I have. It is born in me. It has grown with 
my growth, strengthened with my strength. I cannot shake 
it off. It speaks, it walks, it moves. It is powerful in every 
look, word, act. I cannot live to myself. 

As the stove parts with its heat to bring all surrounding 
objects into its own heated condition, so we affect those sur- 
rounding us. Not more certainly does a rose diffuse its fra- 
grance than human beings dispense their influence wherever 
they go. ... Is a man religious? Not more truly does the 
sunshine impart its glory to surrounding objects than that 
man's religious influence passes from him to all persons and 
things within its sphere. Brutality and lust go forth in like 
manner, impressing and influencing all within their range. 
Rooms become imbued with the influence of the people that 
live in them so that sensitive persons can feel that influence 
as soon as they enter. 

Influence once exerted cannot be destroyed or undone. 
You stand upon the shore of a smooth and great lake, and 
drop a pebble over its surface. A little wave is made, which 
starts out and rolls on, widening and increasing, till it breaks 
upon the other shore. So, we stand upon the shore of the 
great lake of life; every word and deed agitates its surface. 
The wave is formed and rolls on thru souls and minds and 
hearts; never ceasing in its work till it breaks on the shores 
of eternity. 

If there be a human agency of influence which has called 
a man from a wicked life and directed his footsteps into an 
earnest effort to serve his God, it has been the influence and 
earnest prayers of a devoted and sainted mother. Where 
is there a sweeter thought than that of mother, — when she 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 159 

calls her loving, thoughtless, careless boy to her death-bed? 
When in her last moments she presses her lips to the face 
of that boy who has been her chief joy in a life of care, she 
whispers: "Meet me! Meet me in heaven!" 

The good influence of a loving mother will live in the 
hearts and lives of her children long after she has been called 
to her eternal home. 

The shadows of evening almost kiss the retiring mist of 
morning. So, be ever mindful of the responsibilities resting 
upon you and your duty to those who are watching your 
every action and footstep — and lead a life that will be an 
honor to those who follow you, to the fair name of your par- 
ent, your country and your God, 



^ 



CHRIST'S FRIENDS, 

A little group of men — who had been obscure nobodies 
three years before — were gathered in an upper room at Jeru- 
salem. The Divine Jesus, looking around on the company, 
says to them, "Ye are My friends." They had not chosen 
Him; He had chosen them. The electric cord of divine love 
had made the little group one. Presently the charmed circle 
widens; a brilliant and bitter enemy of Christ is stricken by 
the heavenly electricity and transformed into a most enthusi- 
astic friend. A wretched runaway slave in the slums of 
Rome is lifted into discipleship. By and by, great thinkers, 
scholars, philosophers and orators, Jeromes and Augustines 
and Chrysostoms and Bernards, are drawn in. The circle 
keeps widening as the ages roll on. Poor cottagers in their 
cabins, poor widows and orphans in their garrets, sailors in 
the fo'castle, sufferers in hospital, are admitted to the won- 
derful household of love. And as the converting grace trans- 
forms them, and the great arm embraces them, we hear Him 
keep on saying, "I have called you friends!" It is the great- 
est marvel in history; for out of that obscure handful in that 
upper room has sprung the mighty Kingdom of Immanuel, 
which shall yet fill heaven with countless myriads of glorified 
spirits. "Ye are My friends," describes them all. 

It is a confidential friendship. Jesus tells His chosen ones, 
"I call you not bond servants, for the servant knoweth not 
what his master doeth." A master sets his slaves to work 
without any explanation. But Jesus had opened God's 
thoughts to His disciples and initiated them into the great 
mysteries of redemption. He had also chosen the twelve 
"that they might be with him." For the same reason, Christ 
takes us into His companionship, offers us His escort, prom- 
ises us His presence, helps us on the journey and intercedes 



i6o Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

for blessings that we need. There are limitations, for love 
has its reticence, as well as its revelations. Our hearts often 
ache to pry into certain mysteries, but our Lord keeps the 
veil drawn, and says, "What I do ye know not now, but ye 
shall know hereafter." It will be one of the joys of heaven 
to study the finished tapestries of Providence, which in this 
world look often so rough and raveled. 



A TALK TO BOYS AND YOUNG MEN. 

My young friends, a tenderness steals over my heart as I 
look into your youthful faces, aglow with intellectual signifi- 
cance. You are a coming important factor in the affairs of 
business, society and politics as well as in every other im- 
portant vocation of life. 

You hold in your hands your defeat or success. Accord- 
ing to your own ambition, moral conduct, character and prin- 
ciples, your life's career will be measured. 

By your symbolic influence, your ability to reach out into 
the broad avenues of life, you can contribute to the cause of 
humanity in a measure of usefulness. At no time in Ameri- 
can history has there been such great demand for intellectual 
ability and moral character as there is to-day. Soon you will 
be entering for a greater race. 

The contest and opportunities of life are before you — the 
prizes are honor, prosperity, wealth and influence. 

They are within your reach, but the victory over defeat 
thru life will cost you improvement of time and perseverance. 

Whatever vocation or profession you may acquire in life, 
discharge your duties with loyalty, and all the energy of 
manhood you possess. 

We are told that low aim is crime, therefore make your 
aim high, then strive with your heart's endeavor to reach the 
top round. 

Build your ideal high; should it never amount to more 
than a castle in the air, let it be a noble one. 

The man who walks the street with unruffled brow and 
peaceful heart, tho' his business is ruined, his prospects be- 
clouded, and his family reduced to want, who maintains his 
integrity amid the perilous temptations of the hour, and 
bravely, hopefully struggles against these stern adversities, 
upborne by an unyielding faith in Providence, is a hero. And 
in yonder room, where that poor, pale-faced girl, thru long, 
weary days and dreary nights, with aching eyes and wasting 
frame, bravely battles off gaunt starvation, or flaunting in- 
famy, with no other weapons than a trusting heart and a 
little needle — there is one of God's great heroines. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold i6i 

Would you wish to live without a trial? Then you would 
wish to die but half a man. Without trial you cannot guess 
at your own strength. Men do not learn to swim on a table — 
they must go into deep water and buffet the surges. 

Sorrows gather around great souls as storms roll around 
mountains; but prayer will bring calm. 

As we stand by the sea and watch the huge tides come 
in, we retreat, thinking we may be overwhelmed; soon, how- 
ever, they flow back. So with the waves of trouble in the 
world; they threaten us, but a firm resistance makes them 
break at our feet. Remember that "time waits for no man." 

I saw a temple reared by the hands of men, standing with 
its high pinnacles in the distant plain. The storm beat upon 
it — the God of nature hurled his thunderbolts against it — 
and yet it stood as adamant. Revelry was in its hall — the 
gay were there. I returned, and the temple was no more; its 
high walls lay scattered ruins, moss and wild grass grew 
wildly there, and at midnight hour the owl's cry succeeded 
the young and gay who revelled there, and had passed away. 

I saw the child rejoicing in its youth — the idol of its 
father. In vision I returned, and the child had become old. 
Trembling with the weight of years, he stood, the last of his 
generation — a stranger amid desolation all around him. 

I saw the oak stand in all its pride on the mountain; the 
birds were carrolling on its boughs. I returned, the oak was 
leafless and sapless; the winds were playing at their pastimes 
through the branches. 

"Who is the destroyer?" said I, and the answer came, say- 
ing. "It is Time." When the morning stars sang together, 
with joy over the new-made world. Time commenced his 
course; and when he shall have destroyed all that is beautiful 
on earth — plucked the sun from its sphere — veiled the moon 
in blood — yea, when he shall have rolled the earth and 
heavens away like a scroll, then shall an angel from the 
throne of God come forth, and with one foot on the sea and 
one on the land, lift his hand toward heaven and heaven's 
Eternal, and say. Time was, Time is, but Time shall be no 
more. 

My friends, Time is yours to-day, but you have no claim 
on the morrow. May you improve each shining hour and 
every golden opportunity. While you are in the preparatory- 
stage to shine among men. may you not forget your duty to 
the giver of all good and perfect gifts. 

We are born for a higher destiny than that of earth. There 
is a realm where the rainbow never fades, where the stars 
will be spread out before us like islands that slumber on the 
ocean, and where the beautiful, which begins here and passes 
before us like shadows, will stay in our presence forever. 

The first thing to be established in life is a good character. 



i62 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

An essential element in building a good character is an in- 
tense love for the right. A well-rounded character is a steady- 
growth of the result of years of well doing. If we always 
do right we will be the possessors of a good, clear conscience. 
An aged gentleman, full of honors, having held many posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility, said to a young man: "At 
your age, both position and wealth appear enduring things; 
but at mine a man sees that nothing lasts but character." 
Some men work for riches only, and while building their for- 
tunes do not take time to build for themselves character 
and an honorable name. We must learn to say "no" to those 
who try to lead us into places of temptation and sin. To 
keep character we must ever be watching the evils of life. 

"No" is a little word, but what wrecks of character do 
we sometimes see for want of courage to utter that decisive 
syllable which may have such power in shaping the conduct 
of life. One of the most important subjects on which to 
stand "just right" is the matter of drinking; for of all the 
terrible curses that destroy humanity, intemperance is the 
most fearful. Boys, just imagine yourselves bound by drink's 
strong chain until no human power can set you free. Refuse 
the first glass and save yourself. Drink fills the eye with 
fire, extinguishes reason, and murders conscience. We have 
much opportunity to do good every day, and God rewards 
us for each little deed of love and kindness. Do not indulge 
even moderately in the use of strong drink. Already its use 
is throwing its withering, blackening shadows over the na- 
tions of the earth. Young men, rally around the prohibition 
standard, where alone there is safety for yourselves and com- 
rades. Spare, oh, spare yourselves the shame and disgrace of 
being a drunkard. Let us all remember that kindness and 
love make paradise on earth. Be truthful and honest, grow 
up useful men, an honor to our parents and a blessing to our 
country. The day is at hand when the boy that means to 
hold up his head will stand, and the one that gets drunk 
and wallows around in the mud and throws himself away will 
not be recognized. Young men should be as pure as they 
would have the girls to be, and then ladies and gentlemen 
would be on equality. Show me a young man who refrains 
from strong drink and tobacco in all forms and who is gentle 
and refined in manner, and I will show you a young man 
who is honored and loved by all. Stand erect, be plain, hon- 
est, pleasant and genial, contributing a welcome smile to all, 
but let it be at a proper time and place. Never insinuate evil 
which you would dare not say. Respect yourself, that others 
may respect you. Hold your tongue from slander or gossip. 
Let a deed of benevolence reach the aged. Lend a willing 
hand to the needy. 

Acquire no bad habits; drop those you have. Cast away 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 163 

all evil thoughts. Never do anything that you wouldn't want 
a sister to do. Resist the temptation that is governed by 
Satan, and a more noble deed you can never do. Boys, sup- 
pose the sun was setting behind the western hills to rise no 
more, and you were aware of it, could you say, "I am worthy 
of a home where there is no darkness, where the glory of 
God is the light; my pathway thru life has been straight, and 
now I am looking to Jesus?" Good company and good con- 
versation are the very sinews of virtue. Good character can- 
not be essentially injured except by your own acts. If any- 
one speaks evil of you, let your life be such that no one v/ill 
believe him. When you retire to bed, think over what you 
have been doing during the day. Make no haste to get rich 
if you would prosper. Small and steady gains give compe- 
tency with tranquil mind. Never play any game of chance. 
Avoid temptation, fearing you may not withstand it. Earn 
money before you spend it. Never run into debt unless you 
see a way to get out. Do not marry until you are able to 
support a wife. Never speak evil of anyone.^ Be just before 
you are generous. Keep yourself innocent if you would be 
happy. Save when you are young, to spend when you are 
old. Soberness and morality are the signs of a true gentle- 
man. 

Try to make a little part of the world better by having 
lived. 

Young men, never trifle with the affections of ladies. 
There are enough heartaches not wilfully made. You should 
be honest with each other, but alas, too often you are not. 
I warn you, young men, never associate with women who 
would tempt or dare you to take liberties with them, or one 
you would not willingly introduce to your mother and sisters, 
or one you deem unworthy in character and honor to be your 
wife. You naturally expect to marry a lady, therefore you 
should be a gentleman and marry among your associates. 
Never make the name of any lady, and especially the one you 
expect to marry, or have married, the subject of a coarse joke 
or allow anyone else to do so. You should deem her too 
precious and her name too sacred to be bandied from lip to 
lip. You should treat young ladies as you would have young 
men treat your sister. You should know something 
of the character of the men who call at your homes 
and warn your sisters of the bold, bad men they are 
apt to meet. Never allow anyone who drinks, gambles or 
speaks disrespectfully of ladies to accompany your sister on 
any occasion. You would rather face any danger than be 
seen in public as the escort of a disreputable person, and 
you should protect your sister from like humiliation. Broth- 
ers, protect the honor of your sisters. 

Boys, follow where your honest inclinations lead you. for 



164 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

they will not lead you astray. Go where you will be best con- 
tented, and an earnest effort will bring you success. I ad- 
vise you to improve each golden moment, for they are pre- 
cious, in youth. Try to equip yourselves for the battles of 
life; for the time will surely come when you will need every 
preparation possible. 

You must contest eagerly and earnestly if you travel the 
road to success. 

Let us all live with the noble purposes and grand achieve- 
ments of life constantly in view, and shun as much as pos- 
sible the surging billows of temptation which beset our path- 
ways. Boys, the world is ever looking to you, for you are 
to be its future greatness. 

May the thorns that have pained you most in days gone 
by turn to flowers that will breathe the sweetest perfume 
into your heart, your life and your home. 



THE HEART A GARDEN. 

The heart is a garden 

Of good or evil seed; 
According to the sowing 
We gather flower or weed. 
Sow kindness, love and virtue 

And watch the flowers bloom 
With a golden harvest 

Imparting sweet perfume. 

Indeed, the heart is a little garden subject to cultivation. 
Your garden, or your character, will be what you choose 
to make it — a place where the soil is enriched by constant 
care, where everything is well arranged, well ordered, har- 
monious, where strong and hardy virtues thrive, where beautiful 
thoughts and deeds blossom ; or it may be a neglected spot where 
weeds grow, where all is tangle and confusion. You have seen 
pleasant gardens which are a delight to the eye and the soul, 
where there are charming, restful, peaceful places, where — 

Flowers root the thistle, 

Love rules the deeds; 
Kindness cultivated 

Crowding out the weeds. 

There are two kinds of gardens — the neglected, undevel- 
oped, and the cultivated, fruitful. 

Which garden shall be yours? Will you cultivate your 
garden or neglect it? 

Ruskin tells you to regard your youth as a sacred time 
when you must work "while you have the light of morn- 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 165 

ing," and to remember that "the happiness of your life and 
its part and rank in earth and in heaven depend on the way 
you pass your days now." They are to be days of joy for 
the duty of young people is to be delighted and delightful, 
but they are to be sacred days. Every day of your life is 
ordaining irrevocably for good or evil the custom and prac- 
tice of your soul; ordaining either sacred customs of dear 
and lovely recurrence or trenching deeper and deeper the 
furrows for seed of sorrow. See that no day passes in which 
you do not make yourself a somewhat better creature. 

How shall I begin? you ask. By striving earnestly for 
improvement. There is no spot of ground, however bare, 
that cannot be tamed into a state of beauty. It cannot be 
done easily, but many things worth doing are not done easily. 
We must be willing to take trouble, to be industrious, vigi- 
lant in our gardens, and to dig, plant and weed intelligently. 
We will deserve more credit if we create a flowery Eden out 
of a piece of bare ground than if everything were favorable 
in soil, site and surroundings. 

Among other choice seeds, you must plant love, faith, 
hope, charity, truth, kindness and patience. 

This includes most of all the patience that endures continual 
trial, the constancy that makes perseverance possible. 

I mean the kind of patience and affection worthy of the 
name, capable of bearing discomfort and disappointment, 
strong enough to fight enemies, and with plenty of judgment 
and intelligence. All that you may apply to the cultivation 
of any talent. 

In the cultivation of your own garden may you learn 
the beautiful lessons of industry, watchful care, thoughtful- 
ness, reverence for beautiful things, contentment in simple 
pleasures, and joy in work. You cannot help seeing that 
it is individual effort that counts in the cultivation of any 
garden, whether it be a real plot of ground or in your own 
garden of character or talent. It is you, the individual, who 
can make something of your garden in your small, isolated 
"island" of life. 

Every thought and deed must be shaped by your own 
hand. You are your master. 

Will you plant the seed, cultivate it, help it grow, or will 
you let it remain a heap of "dust" in your hand? 

In our gardens there must be plants worth growing, the 
hardy plants — courage, fortitude, diligence, cheerfulness, wil- 
lingness; and the good old-fashioned plants — simplicity, pa- 
tience, courtesy, modesty, sympathy. I call these the dear 
old-fashioned virtues worth cultivating, because in these mod- 
ern days there is danger that opposite characteristics are be- 
ing planted in young lives. 

Enemies find their way in our gardens. You cannot ex- 



1 66 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

pect to drive them away by doing as the old gardener said 
he did to the blackbird which destroyed his berries — "I just 
gave 'im a warning and let 'im go." You must do more than 
give them a "warning." 

Weeds must be pulled out without delay. They are trou- 
blesome faults in character, thrusting themselves where they 
have no business to be, thwarting us. making mischief, and 
adding discomfort to our lives. 

Weeds are idleness, vanity, envy, carelessness, and many 
other traits which destroy beauty. 

Indolence is a great defect in character. Its real name is 
sloth, and it has its root in self-indulgence, lack of thorough- 
ness, putting ease before effort and pleasure before duty. 

I think our gardens should not be shut-in, narrow, en- 
closed places, but from them we should have a broad view 
where we can look out and beyond and learn largeness of 
heart, generosity, and that there are many other gardens in 
the world besides our own. 

Cultivate plants that are most sure to thrive in your own 
environment. Cultivate your own little special flower of tal- 
ent, but do not expect to change yourself into a genius or to 
transform a talent for making bread into one for painting 
pictures. Each talent is important and to be respected, and 
is well worth having. Keep firmly to your own line and your 
garden will blossom with everblooming flowers. 



WIFE AND HOME MAN'S EARTHLY HEAVEN. 

The heart of a man with whom affection is not a name, 
and love a mere passion of the hour, yearns toward the quiet 
of a home — the goal of his earthly joy. And as you fasten 
there your thought, an indulgent, yet dreamy fancy paints 
the loved image that is to adorn it, and to make it sacred. 

She is there to bid you Godspeed! and an adieu that 
hangs like music on your ear as you go out to the everyday 
labor of life. At evening she is there to greet you as you 
come back wearied with a day's toil; and her look, so full of 
gladness, cheats you of your fatigue; and she steals her arm 
around you with a soul of welcome that beams like sunshine 
on her brow, and that fills your eye with tears of a twin grati- 
tude, to her and Heaven. 

She is not unmindful of those old-fashioned virtues of 
cleanliness and order which give an air of quiet and which 
secure content. Your wants are all anticipated; the fire is 
burning brightly; the clean hearth flashes under the joyous 
blaze; the old elbow chair is in its place. Your very unwor- 
thiness of all this haunts you like an accusing spirit, and yet 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 167 

penetrates your heart with a new devotion toward the loved 
one who is thus watchful of your comfort. 

She is gentle, keeping your love, as she has won it, by a 
thousand nameless and modest virtues which radiate from 
her whole life and action. She steals upon your affections 
like a summer wind breathing softly over sleeping valleys. 
She gains a mastery over your sterner nature by very con- 
trast and wins you, unwittingly, to her lightest wish. And yet 
her wishes are guided by that delicate tact which avoids con- 
flict with your manly pride; she subdues by seeming to yield. 
By a single soft word of appeal she robs your vexation of 
its anger, and with a slight touch of that fair hand, and one 
pleading look of that earnest eye, she disarms your sternest 
pride. 

She is kind, shedding her kindness as heaven sheds dew. 
Who, indeed, could doubt it? Least of all you, who are liv- 
ing on her kindness, day by day, as flowers live on light. 
There is none of that officious parade which blunts the point 
of benevolence, but it tempers every action with a blessing. 

If trouble has come upon you, she knows that her voice 
beguiling you into cheerfulness will lay your fears; and, as 
she draws her chair beside you, she knows that the tender and 
confiding way with which she takes your hand and looks up 
into your earnest face, will drive away from your annoyance 
all its weight. As she lingers, leading ofif your thought with 
pleasant words, she knows well that she is redeeming you 
from care, and soothing you to that sweet calm which such 
home and such wife can alone bestow. 

And in sickness — sickness that you almost covet for the 
sympathy it brings — that hand of hers resting on your fevered 
forehead, or those fingers playing with the scattered locks, 
are more full of kindness than the loudest vaunt of friends; 
and when your failing strength will permit no more, you 
grasp that cherished hand with a fulness of joy, thankfulness, 
all of love, which your tears only can tell. 

She is good — her hopes live where the angels live. Her 
kindness and gentleness are sweetly tempered with that 
meekness ad forbearance which are born of faith. Trust 
comes into your heart as rivers come to the sea. And in the 
dark hours of doubt and foreboding you rest fondly upon her 
buoyant faith as the treasure of your common life; and in 
your holier musings you look to that frail hand and that gentle 
spirit to lead you away from the vanities of ambition to the 
fullness of that joy which the good inherit. 

Truly a wise and loving man's wife and home are his 
earthly heaven. 



1 68 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

HAPPINESS IN LITTLE THINGS. 

Let us not seek happiness lest we seek in vain; but let us 
be true, discharge every duty before us and happiness will 
surely be the natural harvest. Let us plant the right seed 
and worry not over the crop we shall gather. Let us learn 
that doing the will of the Prince of Peace is not merely 
in performing great tasks, but in doing each day the "little 
things" which He would have us do in His name — for hu- 
manity's good. 

The little things of life, in the family and with the neigh- 
bors, are the greatest of all the assets we may have. It helps 
a fellow when he feels that seasons are against him and the 
crops promise poorly. It helps when he is away from home, 
and no one comes to give him the bigger and so-called more 
important things of life. It is the trifles that make the world 
brighter and cause the sunshine to radiate more brilliantly 
as we travel lonely, the vales where many must go alone. 
If we are in the desert, so to speak, it makes the desolation 
more bearable to think that back behind of us are pleasant 
memories of duties performed — and ahead of us are noon- 
day rays of hope. Happiness is at our feet if we but stop 
and gather its blossoms. Happiness is found in the "little 
things" of life; not in some "far off' glory or beautiful dell. 

I'd rather give a smile and a blessing, ever so small, to 
those that need it than to be an emperor with power to dis- 
seminate honors and glories where they were not needed. 
This is one of the instances where it is infinitely greater to 
do the small work than it is the large. We cannot always 
measure the scope of charity, or the good we may do by the 
effort we put forth. The little things that come from the 
heart without perceptible effort are the mightiest factors in 
creation's plan, and whether we give these efforts on the 
farm or in the city, on the mountain, plain or sea, their value 
remains the same and somewhere someone is longing for 
the smile and encouragement which any of us can give. 

I wish every home to be filled with that treasure which 
gold cannot buy — "happiness." Let us all be happy together. 
Let us all do right together; for happiness is gained thru 
the "right." Without a pure, unselfish life you seek happi- 
ness in vain. 

On a by-street, through which I was making a short-cut 
not long ago, I picked up a text, if I may so dignify it, which 
might well serve for a sermon from every pulpit in the land. 
I passed a tenement-house just as a little maid skipped down 
the basement steps. *'Where have you been, dear?" she asked 
the child. Quick came the smib'ng answer. "Oh, I've just 
been over to happy-up Mamie Deane. She's got the toothache 
and I took her my picture-book to look at!" The door closed, 
and I shall probably never see the round, cheery little face of 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 169 

the wee maiden again; but her words rang- in my ears as 
I walked homeward. Bless the child! If only more of us 
"grown-ups" would go into the "happying-up" business, what 
a grand, good thing it would be. Think of it: if every one of 
us were to "happy-up" some other one, every day of every 
month of all the year, what a wonderful difference it would 
make in the lives of us. all. How many of you are ready to 
make, with me, the resolution that you will do this? It takes 
so little to make another happy, you know — a cheery good- 
morning, a word of praise, a little remembrance, not more 
than any one of us can give and be the richer and happier for 
it. Shall we "resolve"? 

You will find your best and sweetest happiness in the sim- 
ple things that God has put just as near the poor as the rich. 
However poor you may be in houses and lands, you may be 
rich in God's beautiful gifts of nature. All the deep, wide, 
blue of the noon heaven, all the dew of the morning, all the 
smouldering orange and gold and opal of the sunset is yours. 
The songs of the birds are all yours if you but have the grace 
to listen to their melody. The thrush keeps sounding his 
silver flute for you. The goldfinch keeps calling you just 
like he does to his answering mate. "Hear me! Cheer up! 
Praise heaven!" Bobolink introduces himself to you and 
keeps trying to make friends with you and to sing you out 
of the blues by telling you his joys. When you hear their 
beautiful, thrilling, musical voices from across the dell, try- 
ing to gladden your spirit with their songs of cheer, you can't 
help being happy. Take time to look up at the stars, then 
down to the flowers at your feet, and off to the mastery and 
enchantment of the hills whose spirit of beauty fall over you 
like a dream from the days of youth. When I get a scent of 
the fragrance of the woods in spring, telling me how peace- 
ful therein the voice of some hidden brook over whose amber 
pools the shades are sleeping deep and still, it's like a fairy 
strain of incense from paradise thru the Gate Beautiful and 
leads me into the Temple of Fair Dreams. 

^ 



HE LEADS. 

In the gray of the early morning the Eastern shepherd 
marshals his flock at the gate of the fold, and takes them 
out for their day's pasturing. Over the hills and thru the 
valleys he leads them, calling now this one and now that one 
as they linger behind or wander too far from his loving care. 

Such a scene as this David had in mind when he wrote, 
in that beautiful Twenty-third Psalm, "The Lord is my shep- 
herd; .... He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness." 



170 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

A similar scene was in the thought of Jesus when, speaking 
one of His most touching parables, he said, "I am the Good 
Shepherd." 

As the Good Shepherd He knows, cares for, watches over 
and leads his sheep. How safe to trust all to Him! He 
knows where are the greenest pastures, the stillest waters, 
the best paths. He sees dangers where we think all is safe, 
and He leads securely where harm seems to threaten. If 
foes really do attack us, His strong arm is a sure deliverer. 

He leads. Then we may trust all to Him, knowing that 
all things will work for our good under His guidance. Aunt 
Betty, a devoted servant of the Lord who had been very ac- 
tive in deeds of love and charity, was at last brought to a 
bed of rheumatic pain where she lay for months, suffering 
and helpless. When asked if the change was not hard to 
bear, she replied : "No, indeed. When I was well, I used 
to hear the Lord say, day after day, 'Betty, go here; Betty, 
go there. Betty, do this; Betty, do that.' I used to do it 
as well as I could. Now I hear Him say every day, 'Betty, 
lie still.'" Ah! here was a trusting sheep, ready to go where 
the Shepherd would lead, ready to do His bidding. 

He leads. Then life is onward, upward. An old farmer 
was asked to ride one of the horses of a merry-go-round. 
"No, thankee," said he; "when I rides, I wants to be a-goin' 
somewhar." Led by Him, we shall not live in a monotonous 
circle, but we shall be going somewhere; and that somewhere 
is heaven, to be forever in the eternal fold under the tender 
care of the Good Shepherd. 



YOUTHFUL DREAMS ON A FARM. 

Go where you will, the world over — out you will never find a 
sweeter sentiment of human life than youthful dreams on a 
farm. The mocking din of the city, the roaring billows of the 
ocean, the evening party of the quiet village where the young 
people assemble to relate their youthful joys, the summer gath- 
ering on the surging shores of the sea — all these fade into vapor 
in comparison with a country boy's blissful dreams. Dreams of 
love, dreams of hope, dreams of manhood and dreams of great- 
ness — all these belong to the sunburned, freckled, sore-toe farm 
boy. Dreams of love ! Is it dream, or is it earnest — those moon- 
lit walks upon the hills by the side of a rosy-cheek maiden, 
when you watch the stars, listening to her voice, and feel the 
pressure of that jewelled hand upon your arm? When you drain 
your memory of its whole stock of poetic beauties to lavish upon 
her ear. Is it love, or is it boyish fancy? — when you catch her 
eye as it beams more of eloquence than lies in all your moonlight 



silver Gems in Seas of Gold 171 

poetry, and feel an exultant gush of the heart that makes you 
proud as a man— even now to think of it— and yet then, a modest 
timid boy beside her. Oh! the bliss, to walk beside a blushmg 
maiden on the green lawns that lie among the swellmg hills. 
One night when you "got left" you came home from the party 
alone. The other fellow has "asked first." Ah! your heart al- 
most melted all the way home. The whole world seemed dark, 
yet the stars and moon were shining brightly. 

And yet— it is very strange— she does not grieve; there is a 
sweet, soft smile upon her lip, — a smile, that will come to you in 
your fancied troubles of after-life with a deep voice of re- 
proach. 

Altogether you grow into a liking of the country ; your boyish 
spirit loves its fresh, bracing air, and the sparkles of dew that 
at sunrise cover the hills with diamonds; and the wild river, 
with its black-topped, loitering pools ; and the shaggy mists that 
lie in the nights of early autumn like unravelled clouds lost 
upon the meadow. You love the hills, climbing green and grand 
to the skies, or stretching away in distance their soft, blue, smoky 
caps, like the sweet, half-faded memories of the years_ behind 
you. You love those oaks, tossing up their broad arms into the 
clear heaven with a spirit and strength that kindle your dawning 
pride and purposes, as your forehead mantles with fresh blood, 
for a kindred spirit and a kindred strength. Above all you love 
the Breadth of a country life. In the fields of God's planting 
there is Room. No walls of brick and mortar cramp one; no 
fictitious distinctions mould your habit. The involuntary reaches 
of the spirit tend toward the True and the Natural. The flowers, 
the clouds, and the fresh smelling earth, all give width to your 
intent. The boy grows into manliness, instead of growing to be 
like men. He claims — with yearnings of brotherhood — his kin- 
ship with Nature ; and he feels in the mountains his heirship to 
the Father of Nature. 

This delirium of feeling may not find expression upon the lip 
of the boy ; but yet it underlies his thought, and will without 
his consciousness give the spring to his musing dreams. 

And who knows but the Dreams of Age, when they are 
reached, will be lighted by the same spirit and freedom of nature 
that is around you now? Who knows, but that after tracking 
you thru the Spring and the Summer of Youth, we shall find 
frosted Age settling upon you heavily and solemnly in the very 
fields where you wander to-day? 

This American life of ours is full of tortuous and shifting 
impulses. It brings Age back from years of wandering to totter 
in the hamlet of its birth ; and it scatters armies of ripe manhood 
to bleach faraway shores with their bones. 

That Providence, whose eye and hand are the spy and execu- 
tioner of the Fateful changes of our life, may bring you back in 
Manhood, or in Age, to this country home ; and that very willow 



172 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

yonder, which your fancy now makes the graceful mourner of 
your leave, may one day shadow mournfully your grave. 

But the grave claims but little thought of the country boy. 
His thoughts are of the future in the realm of manhood. Ah! 
here comes the beautiful dreams of life ! 

The Thousand Isles with their leafy beauties lie around your 
passing boat, like the joys that skirt us, and pass us, on our way 
thru life. 

Dream on! dear boy. The farm house is the cradle of your 
dreams; and when you wake in dreamland, tell the dreams of 
your desire to the world and men will make your dreams come 
true. 

No man was ever born great — not even the Son of God. 
But boyhood dreams — I mean hope dreams, have inspired many 
a youth to greatness, fame and a useful life. I like a dreamer. 
I like to see the boy who puts his hope on the mountain top. 
Call it dreams, aspirations, hopes or mere fancies — but let him be 
a dreamer. Dreams are ideals unrealized. If the mind is pure, 
dreams are signs, not of unholy ambition, but of splendid aspira- 
tions. I haven't much faith in the boy's future who has no grand 
dreams of what his life is to be. 

They are tokens of hidden power. They are prophets of 
achievement. A dreamer has within himself the conquering spirit 
to do and dare. Dream on ! ye stalwart youths. Yet, some of 
thy dreams shall be fulfilled. But not until your young soul has 
been seasoned in the fiery furnace of toilsome, ragged, loyal man- 
hood. 

Steep and rugged is the path that leads to fame and eminent 
usefulness. In the dense darkness of temptation, let your charac- 
ter show the brightest. Prove your splendid qualities by your 
every deed. Dream on ! dear youth, for the glowing hopes, born 
in childhood, shall call you upward and hover around you like 
protecting angels. 

Lose not your courage and surrender not to despair. Keep 
a tender but brave heart! Keep pure, honorable and strong. A 
dreamer is made of heroic stuff. The sun of prosperity shall 
dawn upon the morning of his career. Usefulness shall crown 
his efforts. Joy shall fill his heart. Happiness shall sweeten his 
life. Obstacles shall fade away like the fog before the sun. 
Dream on ! noble youth — for thy dreams of hope, like the evening 
stars, shall reflect light from heavenly skies. Dream on ! 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 173 

WILL OBEYING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ALONE 
GAIN A HOME IN HEAVEN? 

A person may obey every one of the ten commandments thru 
life and die a death of sin and be lost in eternal darkness. 

Every one should obey the ten commandments, but merely 
obedience to the ten commandments does not signify that more 
obedience is not required to enter heaven. 

A young man once came to Jesus and said, "Good Master, 
what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus told him 
to obey the ten commandments. The young man answered and 
said unto him, "Master, all these I have obeyed from my youth." 
Then Jesus said, "One thing thou lackest; Go thy way, sell what- 
soever thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treas- 
ures in heaven ; and come, take up the cross and follow me." 
Then this young man was sad at the thought of giving away that 
which he possessed, for he was the possessor of great wealth. 

Why did Jesus command this young man to sacrifice all his 
wealth in order to inherit eternal life? This is the reason: the 
young man worshiped his money more than he did his Savior. 
A millionaire can get to heaven if he lets not his money come 
between himself and his God, This young man was an otherwise 
ideal young man, but he worshiped his wealth ; and while that 
was the case, the best thing for him to do was to gei rid of that 
which occupied a place between himself and his God. This young 
man had always been honest, upright, sober, sociable, industrious, 
kind and pure, but he depended too much on his good morals 
and forgot his God until his whole soul was absorbed in his 
money. Then what else could he do but give it up? It was a 
great pity for this young man to miss heaven when he was so 
near the pearly gates; when he had Hved such a good, moral life 
and had even kept every one of the ten commandments even 
from childhood. 

_ Jesus knew he was a fine young man, but he said : "One 
thing thou lackest." A beggar lacks only one thing to be a rich 
man, and that is wealth. 

A drowning man lacks only one thing to save his life from 
a watery grave, and that is the strength to paddle his way to the 
shore. 

A dead man lacks only one thing to make him alive, and 
that is breath in his body. 

An inch miss is just as fatal as a mile. 

There were many things that he did not lack, which were very 
good in their place, but his good morals as many as they were, 
could not supply the one great need. A great many persons seem 
to think if they have money they don't need anything more. Let 
me say that there is nothing wrong in having money. It is when 
the money has the man that the trouble comes in. This was the 
case of this young man. Money may buy a ticket to some great 



174 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

pleasure resort, were you can breathe the pure mountain air from 
beauteous nature, but it won't buy a ticket to heaven. 

Thousands die and go to hell, not because they have money 
but because money has them. My friend, if you possess riches 
set not your heart upon them. That was the grave fault of this 
good, moral young man. Don't forget that he possessed many 
good morals. 

I have no doubt the neighbors of this young man looked up- 
on him as a fine example to follow. 

I admire and respect a moral man. But danger lies here. 
A man may be moral and not a Christian, but he cannot be a 
Christian and not be moral. Don't mistake morality for Chris- 
tianity. Morality alone will save no one. Do not let it prove a 
snare to your feet. 

There are many with whom we are acquainted — so good, so 
pure in moral character, so generous and noble-hearted, that it 
does look like a pity for them to be lost because they lack just 
one thing; and let me tell you with a sad heart, I begrudge the 
devil their souls. 

My friend, your weakness may not be riches, but you know 
your weakness. 

Many people would be willing to obey Jesus if He would let 
them hold on to one or two certain things that they like. But 
no. He says, come right, if you come at all. He will not accept 
any halfway work. If God would permit people to come to heav- 
en with even one bad habit, it would not be long until every 
immoral habit would be there ; do you think such place could 
rightly be called heaven? No, it would be multiplied hell. 

Put your trust in the world's Redeemer, live a clean Chris- 
tian life — and you will not "side-track" from the "Narrow Way." 



■^ 



INSPIRATION FROM NATURE. 

If I can take God's sunlight and His showers and with His 
help gather from my garden the fair lily and the fragrant rose, 
may I not take the dew of His grace and the sunlight of His 
love, and, working with them in my heart and the hearts of 
men, expect to see that garden of the soul bringing forth new 
beauty and fruitfulness? Let me rise from my thought of the 
summer day, its loveliness, its sweetness, its flowers and fruits 
to take it all as a symbol of what, working with God, I may ac- 
complish in my own soul and in the souls of men around me. 

When clouds roll around you, turn the dark side in and the 
bright side out, and by this alone, can you convince the world 
that there is a silver lining. Cheerfulness is a lost art to the 
person who has not the grace to look upon the beautiful side of 
life and nature. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 175 

Cheerfulness is born in the heart of gratitude and gratitude 
is from the enjoyment of the beautiful. If I were gloomy and 
ungrateful I would go down to the water's edge of Lake Michi- 
gan and mourn because the beech is adorned with sand instead 
of flowers. I would see no beauty of the rising and falling tide 
and get no inspiration from its countless white caps bursting in 
the air. I might exclaim "everything is damp and wet and I 
must seek pleasure where the surroundings are dry." 

Then I would ascend the mountain where there is no water but 
where the v'--«s embrace the mounds of earth and birds sing as 
if to me, *^eir favorite songs; yet I would still see nothing to 
merit my gratitude. 

Or again I might stand by some mighty lake and think of 
its wonderful power to refresh and enrich the earth about it, 
of how great cities are built by its banks and draw from its depths 
— refreshment which turns their crude sands into bowers of 
beauty, and sustains the life of man and of beast who toil in the 
streets. And I may see in that lake, set there like some sapphire, 
r.nd yet out-rivaling in value and beauty all stores of precious 
stones, a symbol of marvelous bounty and life-giving power of 
God, setting His children in an earthly home and then bestowing 
upon them, that which shall make their home beautiful and their 
life vigorous. 

Wherever I go God's riches greet me. I glide over the rails 
thru the country side between orchards beautiful with apple blos- 
soms; or I look down into the face of a dear little violet nestling 
in its mossy bed in the deep woods; or I walk in the garden and 
breathe the fragrance of the rose or sit in the evening amid 
the perfume of the honeysuckle. Do I as a Christian conceive 
of nothing more in the apple blossom or violet, in rose or 
honeysuckle than that which my senses bring to me of beauty 
and fragrance? Do I not see in this marvelous glory of the 
world, that the One who gave it to men is not only infinite in 
majesty, like the mountain, and measureless in resources of 
bounty, like the lake, but is infinite in the radiance of His glory, 
suggested by the splendor of the day unfolding the delicate 
beauty of the flavor? 

The mountain is to me a dwelling place of God. Whether 
I view it from afar, rearing its huge bulk against the horizon, 
burying is lofty peak amid the clouds — or whether nearby, I see 
the giant cliffs, the granite slopes, the glorious forests that thrive 
around its base, the rare flowers that bloom in its ravines, the 
luxuriant mosses that cover its boulders, the crystal springs that 
gush from its hidden glades, the babbling brooks that make 
music as they hasten to the valley — it all speaks to me of God. 
Never do I feel the spirit of praise more thoroughly in my 
heart than when I walk amid the giant trees, my face turned up 
the trail toward the summit, on some beautiful summer morning 
as the birds are waking to greet the sun with their morning carols. 



176 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

And never do I feel my heart leaping higher with gratitude or 
feel more mspired to write masterly poems than when I stand 

TrMlteTmr '''' ^"' ^^^^^^^^ ''^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^od's 
As the days go by my life becomes more and more like the 

and not bvfhe'^lS^''^' ^^^^P? T ^^"^"^ ''^' ^y the sun^h ne 
ana not by the shadows. I don't know just where the road will 
end, but somehow I know it will lead ou of doubt into certaintv 

ne^lomtr "'' ^'''"'"' "' "' ''^'""^ ^"^° the'hghf o/'a 



THE DRUNKARD'S SERMON. 
It was growing late. The tide of humanity that earlier 

^retcZ^l'J ^""^ f ^^'^ '?^, ^°^^^ ^h^^ the streets of the 
?nn.llfno^c ^^^A onward, leavmg the strange and almost 
appallmg sense of desolation that comes when the noise of 

ft ir" '' \\'^'^- ^^^ ^^^^^"^ ^^ghts flared unnoticed on 

then . nfJh; '^\''''^' cars passed at intervals; now and 

hen a night worker hurried by, his footsteps ringing out 

oud and clear in the stillness. In front of a saloon whose 

ights shone out bright and ruby across the pavement sfood 

eves'Z' l^^^'^^i '^"'^' disgusting. He watched with entioSs 

and th.n h? 7 ^/'u^"^ '" ^"^ °"t *h^" the swinging doors. 

evening drpcc T'"^ ^'' ^^'' '^^^''^'^ two young fellows in 

evening dress who were commg down the street toward him 

They had been drinking deeply, and they stopped before the 

saloon door and looked curiously at him 

and nnt-^t^^'" -"^^^ ,^"^' "think of having a thirst like that, 
and not the price of an extinguisher in your pocket Liquor 
liquor, everywhere, and not a drop to drink r ■^''^"''^' 

up toTgood d"4.'' '''' '" ^'^ '''' ^^"^"^^" ^"^ -t Hobo 
, The other hilariously consented and the tramp slouched 
into the saloon at the heels of the two gilded youths The 
llnTf?.V.^'\^'!^'^ '^'"^ ^^^'''' and liquor,Tnd with a 
raiseVu ^o'hTs'ii^s.' '""^ ^^^''^^ ^"^ ^ ^"^^"^ ^^-^ -^ 

a s^elch" nf. II'' °r^^' ^°1!"^ "^^" drunkenly. -make us 
tongue '' ^ °' ^'"^"^^ *^^^ ^°^^"'t tinloosen a man's 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 177 

my lost manhood. This bloated face was once as young 
and handsome as yours. This shambling figure once walked 
as proudly as yours, a man in a world of men. I, too, once 
had a home, and friends and position. I had a wife as beau- 
tiful as an artist's dream, and I dropped the priceless pearl 
of her honor and respect in the wine-cup and saw it dissolve, 
and quaffed it down in the brimming draught, I had children 
as sweet and lovely as the flowers of spring and I saw them 
fade and die under the blighting curse of a drunkard father. 
I had a home where love lit the flame upon the altar and 
ministered before it, and I put out the holy fire, and dark- 
ness reigned in its stead. I had aspirations and ambitions 
that soared as high as the morning star, and I broke and 
bruised their beautiful wings, and at last, strangled them that 
I might be tortured with their cries no more. To-day I 
am a husband without a wife, a father without a child, a 
tramp with no home to call his own, a man in whom every 
good impulse is dead. All, all swallowed up in the "lake 
of drink." 

The tramp ceased speaking. The glass fell from his nerve- 
less fingers and shivered into a thousand fragments on the 
floor. The swinging doors pushed open and shut again, and 
when the little group about the bar looked up the tramp 
was gone. 



LOVE. 



Text: John 4:8: "He that loveth not knoweth not God, 
for God is love." 

I spell my subject with four letters, and when I have ut- 
tered the word. I have spoken the greatest word in the Eng- 
lish language or in all languages the world over. 

I am frank to say that I do not understand my subject, 
for it's the mystery of mysteries. 

But I do not believe that I am required to fully under- 
stand a subject to discuss it. God does not require us to 
fully understand now, for the Book says, "Now we see 
through a glass darkly; now we see in part. . . . but in 
heaven we shall see face to face and know even as we are 
known." So we must not flatter ourselves now to think that 
we are very wise. I am ignorant now, but I expect to be 
as wise as happy in heaven. 

Thus I advocate eternal progress. Not until I enter the 
golden gate of heaven do I expect to fully understand what 
Love is. 

For multiplied centuries writers have tried to explain 
Love, and all have failed. Love is the greatest thing in the 



178 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

world — for love has never failed, "God so loved the world" 
that He sent the Savior that we may have eternal life. Then 
Christ is the receipt of God's love. Were His teachings a 
failure? Did not everything turn out as Christ said it would? 
Has Love failed? 

It is ever the spirit of Love in the human heart which 
forces us to grow to the highest pitch of nobility, power and 
grandeur of which the soul is capable. 

You believe in God. But how? As the Author of Love? 
Of course — for He first loved. The fruits of Love arc beauty, 
grandeur, harmony, sacrifice, nobility, service, humility and 
peace. Have you any of these signs of Love? 

H you have not, you have not Love — then the Book says 
if you have not Love, you have not God. You speak of His 
love. Do you feel that this Love is too lofty, too limitless, 
too mysterious to abide in your heart? Then you know not 
God. H you have not Love the splendors of consolation, 
hope, peace and exhaustless power have not beamed on you 
in blessing. 

Love is the gentlest thing in the world, and yet the most 
powerful. Magnitude in size, noise in sound and height and 
depth do not, within their own nature, signify greatness ; for 
nothing is greater than Love — and Love does not show itself 
before the human vision as Niagara. 

Day breaks without noise, and the nightfall is a silent 
adieu. A silent fall of snow in the night causes no alarm, 
but it covers hill and valley. 

A mountain rivulet spatters and sputters over the rocks 
with a noisy rush, but the deep undercurrent of the mighty 
river flows noiselessly on its way to the sea, and woe be to 
the object that attempts to stay its progress. 

The electric current that flashes messages across the conti- 
nent or from one country to another under the ocean is a 
silent but swift messenger, only surpassed by the wonderful 
system of wireless telegraphy, whose steeds are waves of 
mystery. Yet the silent but powerful thought currents, pass- 
ing from mind to mind, the actuality of Love born in the 
heart and mind of man, are still more powerful than all of 
these. 

"Love is the fulfillment of the law." Love is everything 
in life that's great, noble and good. Where Love is not, the 
heart is as a storm-tossed vessel upon the trackless sea. 

Where love is not, the heart is lost, borne about, baffled, 
tossed hither and thither; it is simply a wanderer, chafed 
with its own beatings. There is nothing of faith in the wan- 
dering heart. _ It is the home for a wilderness of doubt, and 
doubt has in it the power to kill: it withers all that is beauti- 
ful; it turns the garden of the heart into a wilderness — such 
is doubt. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 179 

Christ spoke God's love to those troubled souls upon the 
stormy deep when He bade the waves be still and com- 
manded Peace! In hearts of love all is peace; care is ban- 
ished, trouble loses its burden and blessings crown the weary 
and heavy laden. 

Rest is where Love is; trouble and strife are where Love 
is not. 

You say we love. But how? What do we love with? We 
love with our mind. Then let us love with our daily thoughts. 

Our thoughts are always with us. As we think, so we act. 
The man is the color of his thoughts. Thoughts are the 
building material of life. The man who thinks of the un- 
pleasant things is unhappy. The man who thinks of the 
pleasant things is happy. 

What a treasure store we can build with thoughts. What 
a hell we can make with thoughts. Think of the cheerful 
things. Do not brood about grievances. Do not let slights 
ruffle your serenity. Build beautiful castles; weave airy fan- 
cies of thought. This is not dreaming; it is living. 

If the home of your soul is filled with beautiful thoughts, 
care, pain and poverty cannot disturb you. 

Then believe in love, trust love, think love, and thus love 
will possess your life and you will then begin to enjoy its 
activity. 

Love is the river of life in this world. Think not that ye 
know it who stand at the little tinkling rill — the first small 
fountain. Not until you have gone thru the rocky gorges, 
and not lost the stream; not until you have stood at the 
mountain passes of trouble and conflict; not until you have 
gone thru the meadow, and the stream has widened and 
deepened until fleets could ride on its bosom; not until be- 
yond the meadow you have come to the unfathomable ocean, 
and poured your treasures into its depths — not until then can 
you know what love is. It is something grander than enters 
into the imaginations of unsubdued men. 

When two souls come together, each seeking to magnify 
the other, each, in a subordinate sense, worshiping the other; 
each helping the other; the two flying together so that each 
wing-beat of the one helps each wing-beat of the other — 
when two souls come together thus, they are lovers. They 
who unitedly move themselves away from grossness and 
from earth toward the throne crystalline and the pavement 
golden are indeed true lovers. 

Love, like the tide, is confined to no shore. Love rises 
above waves of difficulty, sweeps through unsafe channels, 
braves storms and faces death, and is never satisfied till love 
meets love. 

Love can be driven out^ of the human heart; but like a, 
sunbeam, it cannot be imprisoned. 



i8o Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Love has but one element from which it lives, and that 
element is the echo of its own voice, which brings love from 
another who has been enchanted by its melody. 

Love's kinsfolk are affection, admiration and friendship; 
either of which is often thought to be love itself. 

Love is indescribable, invisible and indispensable. 

Mutual love is the bud — of which the blossom is happi- 
ness. 

Love is an author's exhaustless subject, and a poet's inspi- 
ration. 

Love is the maiden's "daily bread," the young man's "day- 
dream," the wife's morning and evening star, and the hus- 
band's benediction. 

Love is the noblest gift of the soul. It gladdens grief, 
illumines darkness, creates hope, kisses away sorrowful tears 
and dashes against the cliffs of fear but to triumph and con- 
quer. It inspires every heart to nobler beats, every life to 
sweeter living and every thought to grander sentiments. 

Love is the first born of heaven ! and is the radiant light 
of human affection. 

O, matchless dream of love! There is an enchantment in 
thy holy bosom whose magic touch melts the cold blood in 
the veins of age and makes it leap with the activity of youth. 

All of worth in life is Love. Every good deed was in- 
spired by Love, 

Sometimes God wants to melt the sinful hearts of men 
and does it with deeds of Love. God has often filled the 
heart of a simple, little child with His love and thus reached 
other hearts and inspired wicked men to holy lives and service. 
To illustrate what I mean I will relate an old soldier's story just 
as he told it : 

"When I was wounded in the army I was in the hospital 
where there were long rows of beds with one lone man nurse 
to look after the wounded. One day he said he was going 
upon the hill to a service and he did not want any of us to 
get out of our beds until he got back. 

"Shortly after he was gone the groanings of the men all 
ceased as they saw standing in the doorway a little girl with 
a basket of flowers. She said, "Please, sirs, may I come in?" 
They turned their faces and thought an angel had come at last. 
We all said, 'Come in; come in.' We had not seen a face like 
that for years. She seemed like an angel to us. 

"She came in and smiled as she took from the basket a 
little flower and dropped it down by the side of a poor fel- 
low who was a wounded Confederate soldier. He could not 
stand that, and began to cry like a baby. She went on to the 
next ward, and before she finished those hard-hearted men 
began to weep like children, and they said, 'Boys, look nt 
her! Look what she is doing!' Before she reached the end 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold i8i 

there was not a dry eye among those hard-hearted soldiers. 

"Just as she came to the end there lay a boy with both 
arms gone. She came up to him and noticed his condition 
and saw him weeping. She sat down the basket and made a 
little wreath and laid it down on the pillow beside his face. 

"She noticed he was almost too weak to either weep or 
talk and she stooped down and kissed him. 

"That was the only kiss he had received since his mother 
put her thin hands on his shoulder and kissed him a mother's 
tearful farewell. 

"He burst into tears and said, *Oh! how much like my 
mother's kiss.' Then the child asked the boy if he knew 
that God loved him. 

" *No one loves me but mother,' sobbed the boy. 

"'Yes they do,' said the child sweetly, T love you, my 
mother loves you and God loves you.' 

" 'Do you reckon He does?' said the boy. 

" 'Why, yes. God loved everybody so much that He let 
them crucify Jesus so we could all go to heaven.' 

"The little girl read the dying boy the verse of John, 3:16, 
and told him the sweet, old story of Jesus and His loVe and 
of heaven 'which He hath prepared for them that love Him,' 
and the boy's last words were: 'I trust Jesus and love Him, 
and will meet you in heaven.' " 

Friends, may Love fill your hearts, possess your minds 
and guide your lives over the troubled waters of life's great 
sea; thus the wings of love will carry you over the dark 
valley of death to the beautiful palaces of peace and eternal 
mansions of God where the only law is love. Jesus died be- 
cause God so loved, and the only way to heaven is to love 
Him in return, and the only way to love Him is to trust Him. 
Will you love and confess Him now? 

There is no other way. Remember that Jesus is our re- 
ceipt of God's love, and if we trust and believe, the heavenly 
door of love stands ajar to receive us. 



DIVIDED LIVES. 

People cannot be both sick and well at the same time ; neither 
can they be learned and unlearned both, nor foul and clean both, 
nor moral and immoral both, nor religious and irreligious both. 
If one is sick, he is not well ; if he is ignorant, he is not learned ; 
if he is filthy, he is not pure ; if he is immoral, he is not good, 
and if he is living an irreligious life, he is not a child of God. 

Yet there are some people who, after a fashion, are living 
double or divided lives. Of course, this is all a fiction, after all. 
To some persons they are trying to appear to be good, while other: 



1 82 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

persons know them to be evil and immoral. It is with them as 
with a man who has two wives, in different cities. To each one 
he tries to appear to be true, and does all he can to keep from 
her, all knowledge of the other one. It is a very sorry and per- 
plexing attempt. He is always in danger and in fear of detec- 
tion. In trying to divide his life between them and in living what 
is called a double life, he knows himself to be false and base 
and wicked. The facts are liable to come to light. He knows 
his own guilt. He knows that the day of judgment is coming for 
him. He realizes that God knows his sin. 

There are some persons who, while being members of the 
church and professing to be God's children, are living very 
worldly lives, and if not involved in absolute wickedness are, at 
least, engaged in the dangerous frivolities and giddy pleasures 
that sap all spiritual vitality and prevent all spiritual develop- 
ment. They would like, from some reasons, to be known as 
Christians, but they do not like to live the Christian life of self- 
denial and obedience and devotion to Christ. They like the 
prospect of the joy that is set before God's people, but they do 
not like, in this world, to endure the cross and despise the shame 
of sin. 

The people who feared God and at the same time worshiped 
idols were like the people of to-day who, theoretically and profes- 
sedly, are Christians and who at the same time, really are mere 
worldlings. Their conscience demands one course ; their hearts 
cry out for another. They have only enough religion to make 
them miserable. 

The pleasures of sin are only for a season. They cannot en- 
dure. They will turn to ashes on the lips. Moses was wise. 
He knew that he could not be a Pharaoh and at the same time 
a worshiper of Jehovah and the deliverer of Israel. He tore 
himself away from Egypt, entirely identified himself with Jeho- 
vah and his people, having respect to the recompense of the 
reward. He was immeasurably wise and prudent. A divided life 
would have been impossible. All his life was thrown on the rigl.t 
side and his place and glory have been secure. 
"Ye cannot serve two masters." 



^ 



AMBITION. 

I believe that sooner or later there come to every man dreams 
of ambition. They may be covered with the sloth of habit, or 
with the pretense of humility ; they may come only in dim, shad- 
owy visions, that feed the eye like the glories of an ocean sun- 
rise ; but you may be sure that they will come. Even before 
one is aware, the bold, adventurous goddess, whose name is 
Ambition, and whose dower is Fame, will be toying with the 



Silver Gems in Ssas of Gold. 183 

feeble heart. And she pushes her ventures with a bold hand; 
she makes timidity strong, and weakness valiant. 

The way of a man's heart will be foreshadowed by what 
goodness lies in him — coming from above, and from around — but 
a way foreshadowed is not a way made. And the making of a 
man's way comes only from that quickening of resolve which we 
call ambition. It is the spur that makes man struggle with Des- 
tiny; it is Heaven's own incentive to make Purpose great, and 
Achievement greater. 

It would be strange if you, in that cloister life of a college, 
did not sometimes feel a dawning of new resolves. They grap- 
ple you indeed oftener than you dare to speak of. Here you 
dream first of that sweet, but very shadowy success called 
Reputation. 

Thus life is a succession of ups and downs — hills and valleys. 
They rise before us and hedge us in on every side. Love, ambi- 
tion, wealth, honor, success and power are on the hill-top. The 
road is rugged and sometimes steep. There are ravines to cross, 
streams to ford and chasms to bridge. But ambition picks us 
up and nerves us to the effort. Sometimes we are in strange 
lands, but the music of the woods and songs of the birds are just 
as sweet. If we desire to succeed in life somewhere, on some 
of those hills that confront us is the goal on which we have set 
our hearts. To reach it, we must climb the hill. There are few 
life gems in the valley. God has set them on the hill-tops. But 
the stout of heart, the ambitious soul, will reach them somehow 
and press them to their bosoms. 

Think of the struggles of Christopher Columbus. That am- 
bitious, fearless man who discovered the land in which we live, 
the soil on which we tread, which is now the boasted land of free 
and equal laws, our native land of liberty, protected by the Stars 
and Stripes unfurled on freedom's height. 

Columbus possessed neither education, wealth nor fortune, 
but he possessed that conquering and defeatless thing, Ambition. 
The world's debt to Columbus is as deep as the ocean which he 
conquered and measureless as its sands. His unspeakable cour- 
age, unflagging energy and unbending will, enlightened and sus- 
tained by a divine faith, gave a new world to the old. He felt 
that he was commissioned by heaven to plant the standard of the 
cross in lands then unknown, and buoyed by that faith, no reverse 
could dismay him. There was no form of human opposition which 
he was not obliged to encounter. He had to battle in his youth 
against poverty, insult and scorn; and in later life against envy, 
deceit and ingratitude. But his fortitude never forsook him. To 
the courage of the sailor he added the constancy of the saint ; to 
the enthusiasm of the explorer he added the zeal of the apostle. 
During all the ages of recorded time the western ocean had 
refused to yield the secret of her limits to the children of men. 
In ages gone by she heard the voices of the savage, as they 



1 84 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

joined in deadly conflict upon her heaving bosom. But in 
the gay dawn of each new day, and again while the shades of 
night are softly descending, out where human speech had never 
before been heard, joining in the melody of the waves, she heard 
the sweet notes of Ambition! She paused a moment, enchanted 
to listen. Columbus had conquered and she yielded her secret 
to his ambition. Thus does it appear that the greatest sea con- 
quest which the world has ever known was won not by the com- 
mander of a powerful fleet, the thunder of whose guns poured 
streams of fire upon a vanquished enemy, but by the commander 
of ambition. Columbus was sorely tried in the fires of adversity, 
and by the moral grandeur therein displayed, no less than in the 
greatest achievement of life, he has made the world his debtor. 
Like the Divine Master whom he loved, he has taught men, not 
only how by faith and perseverance to do and achieve, but, better 
still, how to suffer in silence and by patience to conquer. There 
are many traits in our natures that shine like sparkling dewdrops 
in the morning sun, but there are none grander than Ambition, 
which is a jewel more precious than any that ever adorned the 
crown of kings. Without ambition education would cease to avail. 
American freedom would fade and die, our Stars and Stripes 
would furl its banner, patriotism would be no more and the 
powers that rule would cease to be. Ambition reached its mighty 
arms through the fogs of ignorance and lifted me from my na- 
tive birthplace among the dew-kissed hills and mossy valleys of 
Kentucky, and has brought me before you to-night, and it is 
because of ambition that you hear my voice. Nations and people 
die and pass off the stage of action, but ambition lives forever ! 
Ambition beckons us forward ; she spreads her showy wings 
above us ; we breathe her spirit and press onward and upward for 
ever. We speak of charity, hope, honor and purity as priceless 
jewels, which is true; they are sparkling gems upon a magnificent 
necklace, the diamond clasp of which is Ambition. Ambition 
has ascended mountains of fame and placed its victorious ban- 
ners on their topmost heights; it has crossed oceans, seas and 
deserts, and wherever civilization has extended its footsteps or 
Christianity erected its altar, it has lifted its shield above the 
blackness of defeat and held up before the world the golden 
triumph, success! The mightiest conceivable results have found 
their growth from the ever-productive soil of am.bition. Ambi- 
tion is a factor which guides the destiny of nations and ever 
stands as a mighty stone against monarchial principles and for 
the maintenance of our "Stars and Stripes, forever." 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 185 

THE IMAGE OF CHRIST. 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory 
of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to 
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. — I. Cor. 3:18. 



As an image of the sovereign ruler, or of some national em- 
blem, is stamped upon a coin before it is put into circulation, so 
God puts the stamp of His Son Jesus Christ upon those who are 
adopted into His spiritual kingdom. The power for good of a 
Christian depends on the brightness and clearness with which 
the image is stamped and upon his success in keeping that image 
bright and clear thru the after years. Reader, how about your 
case? 

At the time of conversion, the soul is in a condition to be 
impressed for good. In true penitence the heart is eager for the 
divine favor; it looks for pardon, for direction, and for the 
righteousness of God. In answer to earnest prayer, a divine 
impression is made upon the heart, and a new impulse is given 
to the life. Old habits that grew out of a love of sin and self, 
are discarded, and new habits, in harmony with the new spirit, 
are entered upon. "If a man be in Christ he is a new creature. 
Old things are passed away, and behold, all things are become 
new." Conversion is not always equally definite, clear, thorough, 
and joyous. In St. Paul's case it was accomplished by unusual 
and extraordinary means. There was a marvelous display of 
Divine power, accompanied by a distinct call to a definite work. 
He never forgot the light that smote him, the voice that spoke, 
the scales that fell from his eyes, and the peace that came into his 
soul. 

We know from the Epistles of St. Paul that he had a very 
definite working theory of the plan of salvation. And yet he did 
not expect all his converts to have the same experience he had. 
There is not on record a single convert whose conversion was so 
marked and remarkable as his own. Yet they were all believers, 
they were all brethren; they were justified, they were fellow heirs 
with him of the glorious hope of the gospel. It is so among 
Christians to-day. They exist in all states of purity and in all 
stages of maturity. There are those who had a clear and a pow- 
erful conversion. They remember the day, the hour, and the 
very spot where God for Christ's sake, spoke peace to their trou- 
bled souls. There are others equally firm in their faith and 
equally pure in life, who reflected seriously upon their destiny, 
believed the Gospel of Christ, and walked out in the path of 
duty. Demonstration and ecstasy are not apparent. Whatever 
the experience at conversion, it is certain that all Christians need 
additional instruction after they become believers. Most of 
them also need exhortation and reproof. They are unfaithful, 
immature, and defective at many points. Their sins must be 
pointed out, and the standard of Scriptural holiness must be ccn- 



i86 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

tinually held up before them. If they are true believers, and if 
the image of the Lord is really there, they will welcome criti- 
cism and instruction that is calculated to bring into bolder relief 
the outlines of the blessed image. "But grow in the grace and 
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

The aim of every Christian should be to lead a holy life. The 
heart should be kept pure, and the daily conduct should be made 
to harmonize with all the commandments and precepts of the 
Written Word. Only thus can the image in the heart reflect the 
^lory of the Lord; only thus can the conduct of the life become 
a living epistle of Christ, known and read of all. "Let your light 
so shine before men that they may see your good works and 
glorify your Father which is in heaven." 



SERMON ON FOOLS. 

In Psalm xiv., i, we read : "The fool sayeth in his heart there 
is no God." 

The unbeliever is the greatest of all fools. The infidel is 
indeed a fool, but I am proud to say that at this enlightened age, 
this class of fools is few in number compared with the number 
of believers. 

Why does one say there is no God? Is it because he does not 
understand the mysteries of creation? O, ye unbelievers, do you 
understand the wonders of electricity? Do you understand the 
wonders of physical birth? Do you understand the philosophy of 
thought — the mysteries of the human brain? Do you understand 
the building of a watch? Do you understand the formation and 
growth of vegetation ? No! you do not understand any of these. 

You might understand these wonders as far as science may 
go, but the human mind cannot penetrate these mysteries abso- 
lutely. 

Suppose I show you a watch. I use this illustration because 
most every one uses a watch and recognizes its actual purpose. 
You look at the watch and say it had an intelligent maker. You 
did not see him make the watch, you do not know who he is. 
Yet the watch is made in such orderly manner that it could not 
have been created by chance. Its figures are symmetrical, its 
three hands revolve in orderly fashion, its works are perfect and 
its case complete. All of these features prove that it had an in- 
telligent maker. You did not see him make the watch, but you 
are none the less sure he existed. To deny that the watch had 
an intelligent maker would be no more foolish than to deny that 
the world was created by God. The infidel who says that the 
world just happened, that no being could have created such a 
wonderful world, is by some, called a philosopher, but he is a 
fool-osopher. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 187 

The nodding flowers of every tint and hue denote a God. The 
morning sun that banishes darkness from every dell, valley and 
mountain denotes the existence of a God. The painted hue of 
every insect wing denotes a God. The bending skies and lakes 
and rivers denote a God. 

It has been said, the wind is His mighty breath, the rain His 
tears, the sun the reflector of His shining face, the roaring thun- 
der His mighty voice and the earth His mighty footstool. God 
creates. Man makes. Wonderful is the skill of man in manufac- 
turing seemingly impossibilities, but more wonderful is God who 
created the world out of nothingness. 

God put electricity in the air and man has controlled and 
utilized it. God put the ore in the bowels of the earth and man 
has transformed it into silver and gold. God put the oil and 
coal in the mountain side and man has gathered it for the com- 
fort of humanity. 

The Bible says, "Prepare to meet thy God." 

Are you ready? Among those who hear these words, a num- 
ber will meet their God before another year has passed. In five 
years many will have gone to the judgment throne. Ten years 
from now many more will have departed. In forty years most 
of you will have met your God, and in eighty years none of us 
will be left to tell the story. Think of it. Eighty short years. 
Whether you go to-day or eighty years hence, you cannot escape. 
All must meet their God. Are you ready? 

There is one ground on which you can meet God without fear. 
On the ground of the blood of Jesus. How can we come to the 
atoning blood? By a confession of our sins, belief in God and 
acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ, 

"Whosoever believeth shall be saved, but whosoever believeth 
not shall be damned." Some say that they are honest, charitable 
and law abiding and that surely God would not condemn a per- 
son who shows his good works among men. Amen to good 
works. "Whosoever believeth not shall be damned." Salvation 
is not a matter of works; it is a matter of belief. None of us 
can meet God on our works. Are you ready to meet your God ? 

Learn the lesson of gratitude and be happy. Go to sleep nights 
praising God for all the blessings that have come your way and 
for all you have been able to do to make another's burden lighter, 
and with a smile on your face at the "good-night" greeting, so 
that it may linger there to greet the morning sunlight, perhaps 
to see a bigger blessing come in the new morning. 



i88 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

THINGS THAT MONEY CANNOT BUY. 

Generally, an object's worth is calculated on the amount of 
money it costs. I could name a thousand thmgs that money 
can buy, but 1 like to think of those things which are not esti- 
mated by silver and gold. I thank the "Fountain Head" from 
whom all blessings flow, for the many traits of humanity which 
are altogether priceless — beyond any power to purchase, so far 
as money is concerned. 

"God so loved the world." Then if the King of kings loves 
the world which He created, should we not ever love the world 
and all its crowning beauty? Then should we not love its every 
people? I'm glad that love is priceless. Gold will buy a mansion 
here, but not a door-knob in heaven. We are all heirs to the 
heavenly mansion, but the occupants will be only those who claim 
the title here and accept it. This title is Jesus. He says, "I am 
the way." Then I'm thankful that heaven's title is not to be 
bought with gold. 

I'm glad that the promises of His Word cannot be bought. 

Thank God, the Christian religion is for just such as we are. 
In our Bible we have sentiments interwoven with warmest sym- 
pathy, with active, common-place living. We read how shepherds, 
plain men, were honored in receiving the message of that birth 
which contained in itself the hope of the world. We remember 
that the Peace-bringer Himself lived for many a year as the 
son of a village carpenter. He has bidden us seek and expect a 
blessing upon our ordinar}'^ work, in teaching us to pray, "Give 
us this day our daily bread." We find that the Biblical mark of 
true rank is not to be found in the accompanying circumstances 
of birth or position, as the world often estimates, but in fidelity 
to duty, whatever the duty may be. "Be thou faithful over a few 
things, and I will make thee ruler over many things." 

How much the happiness of individual lives is made up of 
priceless things, unsalable in the coin of the land, yet found 
quickly when the heart of the searcher honestly desires them. 
Who does not rejoice to have an honorable name — not neces- 
sarily a distinguished name, but a clean one? 

What makes home-love dearer and sweeter than all else, and 
treasured while life lasts? Not the tables and chairs, not the deli- 
cacy of porcelain, or the aesthetic beauty which the loom achieves. 
These minister to the comfort and taste and artistic nature; but 
beyond these there is something which ministers to the heart and 
soul, glorifying plain surroundings and homely details — some- 
thing illusive to measure or weight, yet potent to guide, to com- 
fort and help. What is this but the sympathy, the trust, the 
spirit of sacrifice, the gentleness, the faith, the readiness to do 
and to bear, which blended together, makes the chain that binds 
us to our homes? 

What beauteous prospect, what luxurious surroundings, what 
wonders of nature or art but lose their mysterious charm when 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 189 

viewed by eyes that seeing, see not, or when shared with a cold 
thankless heart! The power to enjoy, the power to appreciate, 
these are what render pleasures real and bring the joy into them. 
Contentment too, that balm against the ravages of worldly un- 
rest, where can it be found, and what is its price? Not silver 
or gold, but patient striving with a thankful heart will bring it 
to the soul who desires it, and in its possession lurks the charm 
to chase away unhappy vision, to still unwise longings, and to 
open the inner vision to the peaceful delights of the home, the 
friends, the advantages which may be ours. And so thru all the 
passes of human happiness we may go, finding always that its true 
essence is something that must be gained without money and 
without price. 



IMMORTALITY. 

It has been thundered down the ages that man must die ! that 
he must at last, it matters not where he resides or under what 
circumstances he may live, pass down into the tomb and be seen 
no more of men. The death-dread hath ever been a nightmare 
to earthly sojourners. The vale that hangs between life and 
death hath _ ever been a black pall and teeming millions have 
pulled it aside and passed into the great beyond, but none have 
come back to tell us what lies on the other side. The religions 
of all the centuries have sought to solve for mortals the mystery 
of immortality, but what are they all but visions and dreams 
and revelations? 

I believe in the immortality of the soul because it is natural 
to believe m it. I believe because it is a divine promise. I believe 
because it is not in the least degree inconsistent with nature. The 
flowerseed dies but from its death springs the blossom— the blos- 
som dies but from its death grows the fruit. Man dies but from 
his death there must surely be a future life. 

A thousand things help us to believe in the immortality of 
the soul. Even Christ agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane 
pointed to another life higher than this. Science, often blind and 
groping, has combatted creeds and dogmas, but men will be- 
lieve The black savage in Africa's jungles kneels in his fetich 
worship; the Red Man in the silent wilderness has his belon<r- 
ings interred with his bones; the Ancient Greek lays down m 
death to be transported across the river Stynx into Elysian 
liields; and the Christian bids his friends good-bye to clasp 
their hands again on the celestial shore. Destroy death and 
you blot out all the dreams and dreads and agonies of all the 
ages. You, with one fell swoop, remove from the minds of men 
one of the most potent influences of right acting and license the 
human race to do things that they never dreamed of doing Be- 



190 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

fore. Our whole moral code would have to be revised, and our 
notions of material things reversed. Mankind would be carried 
back as if by magic to the Garden of Eden, and he would live 
and dream as did Father Adam and Mother Eve before the ser- 
pent sHmed its way into paradise. 

Have not philosophers labored, alchemists poured over musty 
volumes of forgotten lore, and explorers roamed the world for 
magical fountains in which they might bathe and be young again? 
The human race is none the wiser. Man still clings to the brittle 
thread of life, knowing that he must surely die. The only solu- 
tion for death so far vouchsafed to man, is to live again beyond 
the grave. It is only when we hug hope to our mortal bosoms 
that we can breathe the air from all immortal strands. It is 
only when we touch Divinity's spotless robe that we can have a 
conception of the realms of supernal glory beyond the tomb's 
pale portals. True, it is claimed by many that man lies down and 
dies and goes back to dust from whence he came, and this is the 
last of him ; that humanity is but an intelligent species of brute 
creation. Tho' foolish to the infidel that this mortal coil shall 
put on immortality, men will continue to embrace it as the only 
escape from the endless tortures of the cold, friendless grave. 
To the devoted follower of the lowly Nazarene death is but a 
metamorphose of life, the beginning of a nobler existence amid 
the blessed sunrise of the fairest vision of the Son of God. To 
live long and well everyone should heroically strive ; but to live 
here always is beyond our finite conception. 



SERMON ON HYPOCRITES. 

Text: "But woe unto you, . . . hypocrites! for ye shut 
up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go 
in yourselves neither suffer ye them that are entering to go 
in." Matt. 23:13. 

"Woe unto you, . . . hypocrites! for ye devour widows' 
houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; therefore ye 
shall receive the greater damnation." — Matt. 23:14. "Ye fools 
and blind." — Matt. 23:17. "Ye blind guides, which strain at 
a gnat, and swallow a camel." — Matt. 23:24. "Woe unto you, 
. . . . hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, 
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full 
of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." — Matt. 23:27. 
"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape 
the damnation of hell?" — Matt. 23:33. 

Friends, in dealing with this subject, by the light of God's 
word I shall try to tell you what I think is hypocritical and 
whom I think are hypocrites. A hypocrite is like unto a dog 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 191 

in the oxen's feed box, who does not eat the feed himself 
and prevents the ox from eating. 

Hypocrisy is a greater barrier to Christianity than infi- 
delity. 

One hypocrite can keep more people out of the church 
than two deacons can influence to join the church. A person 
can be a thief, adulterer and murderer and not be a hypocrite. 
Yet a hypocrite is far worse than all combined. A hypocrite 
is simply one who pretends to be that which he is not. A 
thief who acknowledges his theft is not a hypocrite. A mur- 
derer who says he murdered, an adulterer who says he com- 
mitted adultery are not hypocrites. But a person cannot tell 
a lie and not be a hypocrite, for he always pretends to tell 
the truth when he lies. So he is both a liar and a hypocrite. 
A slanderer comes under the same head. 

He may be a deacon or one of the biggest bugs in the pew, 
or he may be the preacher himself, but if he pretends to 
be what he is not he is a hypocrite. The man who drops 
a penny in the contribution box hoping that some one might 
think it was a dime, is a hypocrite. 

The preacher who claims to fight sin and shields the 
sin of the man wnth a "big pocket-book" in his congrega- 
tion, is a hypocrite. 

The man who pretends to be good to his wife and then 
makes her beg for money is the blackest of hypocrites. I 
meet them every day. 

Listen! If I were a woman, I would rather have a 
shrewd thief who acknowledged himself to be a professional 
gambler than to have a so-called man in the person of a 
hypocrite. I pity the woman who has to beg her husband 
for money. 

Many a poor, broken-hearted wife remains at home in 
tears while her hypocritical husband is in town spending 
his money for loc. cigars and speaking of his happy home. 
The black-hearted liar! If hell don't get him, there is no 
such place as hell. 

I would rather be an honest beggar and look the world 
in the face amid the scorn of men, than to be a hypocrite 
stalking around in the silk suit of a millionnaire. 

The flatterer is invariably a hypocrite. Flattery is mean 
hypocrisy, but it is practiced almost everywhere. I never 
believed in telling a person they were pretty when they 
were ugly as a mud fence. 

But of course I wouldn't tell them I thought they were 
ugly unless they asked me to express myself, and such 
question would hardly be asked in a lifetime. Sometimes 
a person plays the hypocrite in a spirit to do good. For 
instance, sometimes a person tries to hold out hope of the 
recovery of a sick one who is despondent and low in cour- 



192 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

age, tho' it is not always best. I have often seen homely 
faces and a sweet disposition possessed by the same person. 
Certainly, then, it would not be hypocritical to speak of 
their sweet disposition. 

Every person has some good quality if it were only 
known. We should try to find it and cheer the one who 
is discouraged by our honest praise. 

Did you ever think about the fact that it is hard to keep 
from being a hypocrite? Well, it is very hard. Doubtless 
there are hypocrites in every vocation of life, but I believe 
the church has more than any other institution on earth. 

Why? Because of the pretense to live a godly life when 
we are not living it. Judas was a hypocrite. He pretended 
to love and trust his Master only to betray Him and sell Him 
for thirty pieces of silver. 

We have Judases all over the land to-day. Professed 
Christians chasing the almighty dollar regardless of how 
they get it. 

With them it's not ''How I get," but "just so I get it." 
Hypocrites! Hypocrites! "How can ye escape hell?" 

Sinners are always wanting an excuse to justify them- 
selves in staying out of the church. And it seems that the 
greatest stumbling block is that there are so many hypo- 
crites in the church. This is indeed a poor excuse, for everyone 
must be responsible for their own deeds. 

However, because this is a fact, it led the inspired writer 
to say: "But woe unto you, . . . hypocrites! for ye shut up 
the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in 
yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go 
in." — Matt. 23:13. 

So according to the Bible there will be no hypocrites in 
heaven. Won't that be a grand place? Without hypocrites, 
slanderers, liars, murderers, thiefs and beggars! 

Yes, I say heaven will be free from any of these. Re- 
member that perhaps there will be people in heaven who 
once stole, who once lied, who once murdered, etc., but 
know ye that thru faith and repentance the grace of God 
redeems the thief, etc. He is no longer a thief. You might 
call him an ex-thief. But now his nature has changed. 
"Things he once hated he now loves, and things he once 
loved he now hates," etc. 

So I say frankly that we will have no thiefs, murderers, 
hypocrites and the like in heaven. Heaven is the home of 
the redeemed. Let us be thankful that the cleansing blood 
of Jesus can wash us clean from hypocrisy — then let us 
apply the remedy and prove it by living a true life and be 
just what we appear to be. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 193 

HOME AND WHAT IT SHOULD BE. 

Home is a sweet foretaste of heaven. 

Dark clouds fade into beautiful blue and crimson be- 
neath the roof of a happy home. 

Home is the Eden of bliss, the garden of sweet memo- 
ries, the shelter from the world's cruel scorn and the earthly 
heaven of the young and old. When old age is upon father 
and mother, and they are sad and lonely, they take a seat 
in their humble home among the children, and they are so 
frank and sweet and innocent and free from care they are 
made happier and the world looks brighter and full of hope. 

There are no pleasures so sweet as home pleasures; no 
pleasures so full of genuine enjoyment. Home should and 
can be made the dearest spot on earth. Sweet and attrac- 
tive in various ways. Religion in the home softens, purifies 
and elevates character, reforms and regulates life. 

Cultivate a taste for the true, good and beautiful. Do 
not save the kind, loving words for the stranger alone, but 
be generous with them at home. The best of literature 
should be provided; books, like friends, should be few and 
well chosen. 

The Bible, that holy volume, should be read daily; and 
its grand and holy precepts carefully followed in the home. 
The culture of flowers affords happiness and they lend a 
charm to the quiet pleasures. The environments should be 
made bright, cheerful and pleasant. Let discord be dis- 
missed and peace and harmony reign. 

Music greatly enhances home pleasures. 

In the sweet twilight hour how entrancing to sit and lis- 
ten to sweet strains of music peal from the organ or piano 
by the artistic touch of some dear one at home. 

Home influence is God's best school. It prepares us to 
battle with life when the cold winds of adversity overtake 
us. Home should be made an ideal spot with its well se- 
lected libraries, sweet blooming flowers and innocent games 
for outdoors and indoors. 

The inmates of home should never indulge in gossip; 
but speak kindly of every one, some loving word of en- 
couragement to the discouraged and lend a helping hand to the 
needy. 

Sometimes the clouds of sorrow hang heavily over some 
home. Then it is we who should follow the example of our 
loving Savior and help to lift the burden of care and sor- 
row from sad aching hearts. 

Home is woman's province; her empire over which she 
is emphatically monarch of all she surveys. She has here 
all the essentials of happiness, and if she is skillful in the 
use of materials she may build a shrine for her household 
more dear and dazzling to the heart and eye than all th€! 



194 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

storied fairies of antiquity. How careful should she be 
then, to mould her action and moderate her voice in shapes 
and tones of purest harmony! How zealously she should 
apply herself to make only skilled and faultless notes from 
trie complicated instrument that responds so faithfully to 
her touch. How consummate should be her tact in touch- 
ing the keynote of character in husband, children, servants, 
relations and friends. How she should attune their hearts 
to love and reverence her in every relationship. What deli- 
cate studies come under her observation and intuition for 
each day and hour of her life. How many and how pre- 
cious are the ones who look to her and are depending on 
her for their daily happiness, as well as for daily comfort, 
and how bright a spot of sunshine may she make of her 
circumscribed and undisputed realm. 

Teach the children to work when they are young, and 
when they help you to do any little thing always thank 
them for it, and they will be willing to help you again. Be 
sure and do not quarrel with them for any little mistake 
they make. 

Always teach them to be neat and tidy. 

Teach them to be polite to everybody and to respect 
white and black. A polite child will always be respected. 

You should never talk evil of any one before them; for 
they soon learn to do the same. Thus the charm of your 
presence gladdens the spot made most holy on earth, bear- 
ing the sacred title of home. Instead of the real head of 
the house sharing most of the responsibility of home, too 
often the weight and responsibility are thrown upon the 
weaker vessel, the wife and mother. This is unfair. 

Notwithstanding, I believe that home is woman's sphere, 
and that she has her duties plainly marked out before her, 
yet how much easier it is to perform these duties when 
she has a strong, protecting arm to lean upon. We learn 
that life is full of service; Jesus said: "I came not to be 
ministered unto, but to administer." And again he says: 
"Follow me." Are we trying to follow Him? A great deal 
has been said about the responsibiHty of mothers and wives. 
Along with it many eulogies concerning her faithfulness, 
self-denial and patience. What an enormous amount of in- 
fluence she is expected to wield. Why not sometimes put 
in a plea for rest for these poor creatures who are forever 
in harness and endeavor to devise some plan to keep them 
longer with us instead of wearing them out, body and 
mind, with this everlasting ding-dong of duty and responsi- 
bility, while other members of the family seek recreation 
and enjoyment abroad. This is like "the boy who stood 
on the burning deck, whence all but him had fled," with no 
cfie to come to his rescue. The mother is left to keep 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 195 

the fires and lights burning in the home, while others are 
often spending the time in idleness and folly; then if one 
wanders from the path of rectitude she is often pronounced "re- 
sponsible." 

So you, who have the strong arm of husband, father, or 
even a brother or son to sustain you in your daily labors, 
can never know what it is to go through life alone. Let 
us then keep a warm place in our hearts for those who are 
kept at home, or, rather, stay at home unkept. Only those 
who have been reared in ungodly homes effect to scorn 
the claims of the old and feeble, the orphan, or the neg- 
lected. Too many prefer being ministered unto, yet it is 
not following Jesus. 

Happily there are a few to whom there is more pleasure 
in giving than in receiving. They are usually apt to be 
happy and prosperous. It is symbolical of the most con- 
tented. A united, unselfish household is like that home not 
made with hands. 

The father and husband ought to be that which encircles 
the house or family into a union of strength and oneness 
of love. 

A truly happy home is a little heaven on earth. It is 
an empire of love. Around the sacred altar of such a home 
cling many of the sweetest and dearest memories of our 
childhood. Kindest words, like loveliest flowers full of 
freshness and fragrance, must fall from loving lips to make 
glad hearts and happy homes. Let our homes be dedicated 
to truth and love. Let the inmates be perfectly devoted 
to all that is pure in thought, tender in feeling, kind in 
words and noble in action. 

In an ideal home maternal love must be the chief dic- 
tator. A happy home, with our dear parents to share all 
of our trials and troubles, is the best place on earth for girh- 
andboys. It is the earth's only Eden; tho' many do not 
realize it till duty has called them away from this lovely 
spot into the wide, wicked world. When sisters and brothers 
are separated and drifted to and fro in the broad sea of 
time, perhaps never to see one another again on earth, 
then we think with regret of our dear old home, and feel 
that if we could only recall the hours of our childhood we 
would live to be much better. 

Let us appreciate our homes while our home circle is 
unbroken; for the time is soon coming when we must part 
and God will call our fathers and mothers to their happier 
home in the skies, "where sorrows never come." Our home 
is just what we make it. Let it be a mansion or a cottage, 
we can make it pleasant by always being honest, kind and 
true, and this will give us happiness here and heaven here- 
after. 



196 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

A POET'S SEARCH FOR LOVE IN THE 
VALLEY OF DREAMS. 

I wonder who of my hearers have not reposed in the valley 
of dreams? When you consider that I am a poet, you will 
know from whence came my love for dreams; for of all dream- 
ers, the poet is first and last to explore dream valley in earth 
and sky. 

Beautiful is this valley, and how often has heaven rained upon 
its quiet bosom, its dewdrops of tears and smiles ! 

Fiction it may be, but no maiden's heart beats to day but has 
not lingered in the valley of dreams. 

The young man, the old, the silver-haired mother and the 
young wife — all have reposed in this beautiful valley. 

Sometimes the valley lies at the foot of sorrow's mountain. 
Sometimes at the altar of fame, the field of toil, the hall of pleas- 
ure, the shrine of pride, the pew of Christian worship or the 
fountain of love. 

But every human heart has been bathed in the dew-jewel 
pool of the valley of dreams. 

Can you not close your eyes and dream of the Past and see 
the actualities of "by-gone days?" Do you not at times have 
hope-dreams of the future? 

I love a dreamer. The dreamer's heart is a heart of love and 
love's affection. It beats with sympathy for other tear-burdened 
hearts and is large enough to embrace heaven. In my reading, 
writing and thinking, I find pools of joy, rivers of inspiration, 
fountains of hope, heavens of love and floods of pleasure in the 
vai-v.y of dreams. Thank heaven, I am a dreamer. I traverse the 
planets and see world-wonders in "dream-life." 

To-night, I could close my eyes and see the home of my child- 
hood, I could see the sparrows that twittered on the cedar tree 
by our quiet cottage and their voice is calling up to me this 
moment a world of memories that reach over half my lifetime, 
and a world of hope that stretches farther than any flight of 
sparrows. The rose-tree is full of buds and blossoms; and each 
is a token of promise that has issues covering life, and reaching 
beyond death. The quiet sunshine beyond the flower and beyond 
the sparrow — glistening upon the leaves, and playing in delicious 
waves of warmth over the reeking earth, — is lighting both heart 
and hope, and quickening into activity a thousand thoughts of 
what has been and of what will be. The meadow, stretching away 
under its golden flood, — waving with grain, and with the feathery 
blossoms of the grass, and golden buttercups, and white, nodding 
daisies, — comes to my eye like the lapse of fading childhood 
studded here and there with the bright blossoms of joy, crim- 
soned all over with the flush of health, and enamelled with mem- 
ories that perfume the soul. The blue hills beyond, with deep- 
blue shadows gathered in their bosom, lie before me like the 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 197 

mountains of years, over which I shall climb thru shadows to 
the slope of age, and go down to the deeper shadows of Death. 

Nor are dreams without their variety, whatever your character 
may be. I care not how much in the pride of your practical 
judgment, or in your learned fancies, you may sneer at any dream 
of love, and reckon it all a poet's fiction ; there are times when 
such dreams come over you like a summer-haze, and almost stifle 
you with their warmth. 

Dreams fill my heart as the brooks fill the sea, as the dew 
covers the meadow, like the overfliow of young hearts, and I know 
that dreams touch your own heart, like a hope of heaven in a 
field of graves. 

Dreams come to the mind as shadows come, gently, and cover 
the earth, — with now and then a glimpse of sunshine to make 
life brighter — like bubbles of joy. 

And when I speak of dreams, do not think that I mean night- 
dreams alone. I wander in the valley of dreams during my 
morning walks amidst the violets and daisies. I sit in solitude 
and dream when I am conscious and wide-awake. 

Day-dreams are often a poet's crimson clouds or golden sun- 
beams. And do not think that poets, artists and authors monopo- 
lize the valley of dreams. I find every class of humanity repos- 
ing along the mossy pools of this beautiful valley. 

Do you not have beautiful sentiment to swell your heart? Do 
you not at times feel within your bosom that some chord of music 
or poetry could burst forth if you could but express it? 

You are a poet in sentiment, but lacking the expression. Then 
you are a dreamer — you are a day-dreamer. 

In the valley of dreams there is a meadow called Fixion. 
While the gray clouds floated across the sun, a poet lay down in 
Fixion Valley and dreamt a dream. What visions he saw and 
music he heard a dreamer only can tell ! 

But his dream was a dream of love. In the midst of his 
dream he asked himself one question over and over again : "What 
is Love?" 

The spirits of Fixion Meadow and of Dream Valley tried to 
answer his question, but not to the poet's satisfaction. 

"My question must be answered," said the poet, and as he 
said this he got a glimpse of Fairyland in the Valley of Dreams. 

*Ts there one in all Fairyland?" questioned the poet, "who 
can answer my question, 'What is Love?'" 

"Follow me," said an angel of Fairyland, "and I will answer 
thy question, 'What is Love ?' " 

"But tell me now," urged the poet. The angel's face shone 
like the sun and her eyes shone like two stars. 

"Follow me," said the angel as he started, "and see for thy- 
self." 

The poet said not a word, but followed closely in her steps. 
So the angel took the poet out into the world and made him see 



198 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

periods of time as in a moment, that he might know the true 
course of affairs. 

And he saw, and behold, a nest wherein tiny birdUngs nestled, 
and the mother bird brooded over them and sheltered them with 
her wings and brought them food and the little birds cried after 
her when she left and peeped for joy when she returned, and the 
poet said: "Ah, so this is Love!" 

But even as he looked the little birds gathered strength and 
left the nest and came no more to it, nor did the mother bird 
follow them or grieve over their flight. 

And the poet said : "I must seek farther." 

And again he saw, and lo ! a little child came running to his 
father and threw his arms about his neck and kissed him and 
cried : "I love you, daddy." 

The poet saw how the father's heart was glad as he answered 
the caress, and he said : "Here indeed is Love." 

But as he looked the child's face fell, and a frown was on his 
brow, and a pout on his lips ; the sweet voice became harsh and 
the child was disobedient. The father's voice grew stern — and 
angry, too ; and the poet shook his head and murmured : "Not 

yet." 

Once more he looked abroad and saw a young girl yielding 
herself to the passionate embrace of a thoughtless youth, and her 
lips to his eager kisses. Her face was lighted with joy as he 
whispered, "I love you, darling." 

And the poet's heart quickened and his blood ran warm as he 
watched, and he said : "I have discovered Love unawares." 

But months passed by as he gazed, and the eagerness died out 
of the love-making. A coldness arose between them ; the youth 
grew careless and the maiden sprang no longer to meet his caress 
as before, and the poet sighed : "The secret is not here." ' 

Then the Angel touched his arm and pointed to a couple who 
walked quietly along the pathway of life. There were rough 
places and the worst were on her side. Often she might have 
chosen a smoother path had she walked alone, but she kept by 
the side of the man. There were lines of care on her face, the 
sorrows of motherhood had left their mark upon her. The poet 
noted burdens which it seemed to him the man might have light- 
ened, but still she walked with the man. 

And the Angel said : "Go nearer and observe these two." 

The poet drew near. 

And the Angel pointed to the woman and said : "Ask her thy 
question." 

So the poet spake to her : "O Woman, canst thou tell me what 
is Love?" 

The woman's eyes reflected the light of a mother's love and a 
wife's deathless devotion. Heaven was blooming in her face ; her 
beauty mocked the crimson sky ; her voice was sweeter than the 
song of birds; and she answered the poet's question with a beau- 
tiful smile as she spake: "Love," she said, "is the fragrance of a 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 199 

woman's soul, the wordless music of a woman's heart and the 
only flower that grows in every clime and season — keeping life's 
pathway blooming with happiness." 

And the poet bowed himself unto the dust, and his heart was 
moved unto reverence, and he was very humble and spoke softly, 
"Angel, wv' have truly found love here, let us be contented." 

*'Not yev " said the Angel, "Come with me once more." 

And awa.^ they hastened till the angel stopped at the cross of 
Calvary. 

"Why stop here?" said the poet. 

"Look !" said the angel, "and see for thyself." 

And the poet stood calm and still and beheld the crucified 
Christ suspended upon the cross. 

"Murder!" said the poet with a sigh. "What hath this man 
done to lose his life?" 

"Nothing amiss," said the angel, as she dropped a tear on her 
folded wing. 

"What does it mean?" exclaimed the poet, "the crown of 
thorns, the drops of blood, the sponge of gall, the pierced side, 
the piercing of nails thru the hands and feet?" 

"It means love," answered the weeping angel as she looked 
upon the crown of thorns. 

"Did He love the hands that nailed him there?" asked the 
poet. 

"Yes," sobbed the angel. "He died for his enemies; He died 
for you and me ; He died for all the world," 

"Why did He die?" asked the poet. 

"He died that we might live and that He might go to prepare 
a place for us to be with Him throughout eternity in heaven." 

Then the poet's heart had caught truth's light and he wept as 
he said, "I have truly found matchless love." 

And while he still wept the angel said sweetly, "God so loved 
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever 
believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

"Thank God for love," whispered the poet, as he caught "the 
truth that makes you free." 



(PART III. 

SILVER GEMS IN SEAS OF GOLD 

Containing the Author's 
SHORT ''CHARACTER" AND "LOVE'' STORIES 



SHORT ''CHARACTER" AND *'LOVE'* 
STORIES. 

LOVE ANSWERS. 
Chapter I. 

It was an April morning when Ola Turner sat by the 
open window by her "sick-bed," as she termed it. A gentle 
breeze caressed the new flowers in the front yard and the 
morning skies were bright as heaven. 

"I've been sick nigh three weeks," said Ola to herself, 
"and it seems like a year." 

Ola was a sweet, kind and hopeful girl and longed to 
again be a princess of the fresh air where nature paints 
with lavish hands. The sound of the merry school bell fell 
upon her ears and the children passed her window with all 
the flutter and vim of happy childhood. 

"Hello!" yelled a gay little girl as she skipped by, "how 
is my sick friend this morning?" 

"Better," responded a voice from the window, but hardly 
was it spoken till the little inquirer was out of sight in 
the direction toward the schoolhouse. Many of Ola's girl 
friends passed the window on their way to school and each 
had a kind word to cheer her. Every attention had been 
given the sick one for her hasty recovery, and her anxious 
father and mother were much gratified in the hope that she 
was soon to be well. No pains were spared by the skilled 
hands of her learned physician, and even the "sick-room" 
looked bright on this April morning. Yet Ola longed for 
.something besides a "Hello!" and "How do you feel?" 

No favors were shown her without her appreciation, 
and every kindness shown by her friends gladdened her 
heart. 

Ola loved flowers beyond her own expression of their 
beauty, and not a flower had been given her on this balmy 
April morning. 

She saw beauty in the roughest flower and even drew 
mind-pictures on the green lawn — for said she: 
"God paints each bending bower — 
Blade of grass and blooming flower." 

Still she sat at the window when the sound of the school 
bell had ceased. She was tired of her books that morning, 
for the smiles of nature greeted her from the fields. Tho' 
fond of literature, she often said that her "poems were in 
the flowers where God's gentle touch made the whole world 
kin." 

Aunt Bessie came in (she was the colored cook). "Sweet 

203 



204 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

child," said she to the sick girl, "I fetched your medicine and 
a cool drink of water." 

"Thanks," smiled Ola, and she took them like real en- 
joyment. 

Then Ola went back to the window. "Who is you look- 
in' for?" asked Aunt Bessie, A smile was the only answer. 
"Chile, you had better go to bed," said Aunt Bessie, 

Ola sighed, "He didn't come this morning" — she only 
spoke this to herself, but Aunt Bessie overheard. 

"Chile, who is he?" she questioned. 

"Why, 'Bud' didn't bring me a flower this morning," an- 
swered Ola, "Never mind, sweet chile," said the old woman. 
"Aunt Bessie will git you a whole lap full of them flowers," 

Then Ola was left alone in her room. "But Td rather 
have one little flower from 'Bud,' " said the girl to herself, 
"than a whole field full from the cook," 

"Bud" was a bright-eyed boy and for many days had 
passed by Ola's window and left her a flower on his way to 
school. He always had a cheery word and his very hand- 
clasp seemed to tell the sick girl how glad he was to meet 
her. She always welcomed him with a "smile and thanks" 
and each morning would await his coming. 

Above all the rest, she appreciated "Bud's" call, for he 
always acted in no hurry to leave. Several days he came 
into her room and sat by her bedside, but since she began 
to sit up, he came and stood at the open window. Why did 
she long for his call? Why did she so much appreciate the 
smallest flower that "Bud" brought on his way to school, 
while others often tossed a whole handful into her window? 

Why did she long to feel the clasp of his hand? 

Why did she feel disappointed on this beautiful April 
morning while the birds were singing and the fields a-wav- 
ing — when "Bud" did not stop on his way to school? Love 
answers. "Bud" was not one who tried to be a man and 
act big. 

He was not one who smoked cigarettes. He had too 
much sense for that. An oath never passed thru his lips. 
What a pity if his red, soft lips had been made pale by cigar- 
ettes and self-abuse. 

He was indeed gallant and noble. Thus he was winsome 
and all the girls admired him. He studied hard, learned his 
lessons well and helped his mother with her work, 

"Bud" was not the prettiest boy in town, but his very 
disposition matched that of Ola's. 

Chapter II. 

Bang! went a sound as "Bud" threw down his arm load 
of stove wood behind the kitchen door. "Mother, please 
write a note to the professor to show why I am late at 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 205 

school this morning-," said "Bud" as he bathed his hands 
and face in cool water. By the time "Bud" dried his face 
the note was given him, which read: "Dear Professor — 
'Bud' is late this morning by reason of having to help his 
mother." 

"Good bye, mother," said "Bud" as he kissed her, and 
the next instant the front gate slammed and "Bud" was 
off for school in a trot. As the boy turned the bend of the 
lane, he looked back and waved to his mother, who was still 
standing by the door. Then he was out of sight. "I've got 
the sweetest boy in the world," said that old mother to 
herself. "He's more helpful about the house than a, girl." 

"Bud" swung his books across his back and was making 
rapid time to school. Now he is passing thru the field where 
he has gathered flowers each morning. The dew is gone, 
but the sunbeams are kissing their waving form. "I can't 
see Ola this morning," he thought, "for she will not be at 
the window at this late hour," He skipped by the flowers 
on either side. 

They even looked prettier than any he had gathered amid 
the dew. Every flower seemed to say, "Take me, take me, 
take me to Ola." 

His heart felt affectionate. Then he turned his head and 
saw a pretty bed of blue violets which seemed to cry out 
still more, "take me." 

"Bud" stopped and gathered a large bunch almost un- 
consciously. Then he found a rose-bud, some ferns and 
pressed them to his bosom. "These will show her that 
she's not forgotten," thought he. Then he could almost see 
her lily-face and flashing eyes from her open window. 

"It won't make me much later," thought "Bud," "and 
I'm going to stop to see my little girl." 

Now he is in sight of her home, and the cottage to 
"Bud" looks like a palace, and Ola is the queen therein. 

"Bud" knew that Ola loved flowers; he craved the pleas- 
ure of putting them in her warm, white hand; then he knew 
that she would smile her appreciation. 

These thoughts inspired him. "I've no time to lose," he 
thought, and he quickened his step. 

He turned his head toward Ola's window and saw an 
object. "Could it be my little girl by the window at this 
late hour?" said he to himself. "I hope it is she," he 
thought. 

"Of course it's she," he assured himself, as he drew close 
enough to see her smile and a little wave of her hand. The 
window was open and Ola welcomed the gallant boy and 
thanked him over and over for the flowers. "I've been 
waiting for you all the morning," said the girl, "and had al- 



2o6 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

most given you up. What made you so late?" added the 
girl as she pressed the flowers to her face. 

"This note from mother to the Professor will tell you," 
answered "Bud," presenting the note. 

"Oh, I see," commented the girl; "been helping your 
mother. You are a dear, good boy," she added. 

"I'd rather hear you say that than any one else," smiled 
"Bud," "and I'll always try to be good for your sake." 

"For my sake?" exclaimed Ola. 

"Of course," responded "Bud." 

"Why for my sake?" said Ola, sweetly. 

"Love answers," responded "Bud." 

"You are dearer than ever," encouraged the girl. 

"Bud" shook her soft, white hand "good bye" and soon 
was at school. 

All day a gallant boy was happy over his books and his 
mind often stole away to the open window where sat his 
sweetheart. During the entire day a little girl sat in her 
room, admiring the flowers and thinking of what "Bud" 
had said when he presented them. Two hearts were aflame 
with joy and two lives were happy on this beautiful April 
day. Springtime was even brightened when they were to- 
gether, and the birds seemed to sing sweeter than ever be- 
fore. 

Why? Why? 

Love answers. 



BIRDS' KINGDOM IN LOVE'S EDEN. 

If every lake and sea 

And every foaming ocean — 

And flowing river 

Were filled with love's devotion 

The love of my heart 

Would excel the whole; 

For my life is love 

And love is my soul. 

Love makes the lips of age quiver for the caress of childhood 
— and 'tis love which perfumes the memories of the long ago. 

Love is dream's hero, the maiden's diadem, the lad's crown 
and heaven's benediction. 

Love is the home's jewel, the father's pride and the mother's 
all. 

Love is God's soul, heaven's foundation and the angels' song. 

Methinks that love is a link of gold which holds the mated 
birds together; and that every lark and dove and jay and their 
kinsfolk have their own peculiar sentiment of love. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 207 

When night pulled her curtain down and the stars shone, I 
heard the nightingale sing; and methinks that the song of love 
was to its answering mate. The song lulled me to sleep— and I 
dreamed that the birds gathered in a convention to discuss earth 
and heaven's greatest subject. 

And the following is my dream : 

Debate in the Cherry Orchard. 

There was a certain cherry orchard known throughout bird- 
kingdom as Love's Eden. It was so named because of its rare 
beauty, soHtude and luxury. The cherry orchard was located in 
a sunlit valley thru which flowed a fresh stream of silver water. 

The good farmer who planted the trees, built a tall fence of 
solid stone around the orchard to keep bad boys from intruding. 

And bad boys being the birds' greatest foes, Love's Eden was 
a safe retreat. In springtime's bloom the birds mingled their song 
with the hum of the bees and drank from the flowing stream. 

In summer the birds would meet in the orchard to eat ripe 
cherries and amid the feast, Cupid played an active part in mating 
sweethearts of the feathery flock. 

Often the newly mated sweethearts would remain in the cherry 
orchard long enough to build a summer home among the shady 
boughs. And matrimony's agent Mr. Cupid, pointed to each cozy 
nest of eggs or birdlets with unmingled pride. 

Peck! Peck! Peck I This was Mr. Woodpecker's way of 
knocking at the door of a friend. "Come in," came from the in- 
side of the hollow limb which served for Mr. Crow's home. The 
woodpecker went in and found Mrs. Crow and the little ones at 
home. "I have a message for your husband, madam," he said, 
"but as he is not in, you may deliver it to him, if you will be so 
kind, 

"I shall be pleased to do so, Mr. Woodpecker," said Mrs 
Crow, politely. 

"All right," I shall be under great obligations to you if you 
will tell Mr. Crow that King Eagle wants a meeting of all citi- 
zens of his majesty's domain to-morrow at sunrise, in Love's 
Eden. Good-bye madam," and Mr. Woodpecker was gone. 

In this way he flew over all the countrv, inviting the birds 
to be present the next day. 

The sun had just begun to show the top of his bright round 
face above the horizon when King Eagle called the meeting to 
order, '^ 

"I called this meeting for the purpose of having a debate be- 
tween my citizens. Nominations for a chairman are in order." 

^ Saying this. King Eagle perched himself on a limb overlook- 
ing the meeting. 

*T nominate for chairman of this meeting, Mr. Robin, because 
he is wise and has good judgment," said the Crow. 

'T second the nomination," said the Kingfisher. 



2oi3 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

"All in favor of this nomination please clap their wings." 

It was King Eagle who spoke and in a moment such a flut- 
tering was heard m the orchard that Farmer Jones, who was 
plowing in a field next to the orchard, stopped his mule and 
scratched his head. 

"I s'pose 'twas the wind," said Farmer Jones. 

"Mr. Robin, you are unanimously elected chairman of this 
meeting," said the eagle. 

"I appreciate the kindness in bestowal of this great honor," 
said the Robin, "and I hope I may be able to serve you well. 
"The subject of this debate," he continued, "is. Resolved that the 
greatest subject of earth and heaven is Love." 

"The meeting is open to discussion." 

"I'll tell you an experience I had in the cherry orchard last 
summer," said the Redbird. 

"I was living alone in a cedar tree and hearing so much talk 
about your cherries, I concluded to visit Love's Eden for the 
sole purpose of eating, but, bless my life !" continued the Red- 
bird, "Cupid stole my appetite and I couldn't eat, sleep or drink 
till I got married and my opinion is that love is even greater than 
cherries." Redbird, somewhat embarrassed his young wife by 
his side, but after the birds had all clapped their wings in ap- 
plause, Mr. Redbird and wife felt important as King Eagle. 

"I disagree with Redbird," said the Jay, "for I courted a 
Miss Jay all summer and not only did I lose her love but some 
of my feathers." 

The convention was turned into an uproar of laughter and the 
chairman nearly wore his wings out flapping for order. 

"I would like to say a word," said Mr. Dove. 

"When I came to the cherry orchard, I was careless in my 
style and appearance. I associated with my inferiors, was in- 
dolent and my ruffled feathers looked like a picked goose. But one 
sunny day I met a Miss Dove in the cherry tree and fell in love 
on first sight. I at once flew to the branch, washed my feet, 
combed my feathers and prepared for courtship. While I have 
not as yet won the 'fair Miss Dove of dreamy eyes,' I have 
changed my ways, overcome my habit of indolence and now I 
gather her cherries at every opportunity. Therefore," continued 
Mr. Dove, "I can say that in my experience love is the greatest 
thing of earth or heaven." 

This speech made such a "hit" that the clapping of wings 
caused Farmer Jones to "hike" to the cellar as a retreat from 
what he thought was a cyclone. 

"Listen," said the Lark. "When I came to the orchard as a 
glutton, I was alone and unhappy. Now I have a beautiful nest 
in the cherry tree where I met my bride-to-be, we have five bird- 
lings to bless our home and my oldest son has a bright prospect 
to become King Eagle's private secretary when he is grown. And 
this," said the Lark, "is what Love has done for me." 

"Love is my heaven," said the Canary, "for Songie and I, 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 209 

(Songie is my sweetheart) go bathing in the orchard stream every 
summer day and I hope that Mr. Cupid will soon bring our court- 
ship to a climax." 

"I hope so," whispered King Eagle, "we need more happy 
homes in the orchard." 

The debate continued till the vote was taken and the major- 
ity of the feathery flock voted that "Love is the greatest thing 
of earth or heaven." 

"Love me and the world is mine," and other favorite songs of 
Love's Eden were sung and the meeting was adjourned and soon 
the birds had flown to their respective homes — each with deeper 
sentiments of Love. 



•Jt- 



THE BLUEBELLS. 

One day Mr. Morrill's attention was called to a little 
pale, thin boot-black, who had a bunch of bluebells in his 
buttonhole. The gentleman let the boy black his boots, 
then placing a quarter on his finger said: 

"Here is ten cents for the shine and fifteen cents for 
the flowers," pointing to the bluebells. 

The lad put his small hand over the flowers. 

**No, sir; I can't sell them; if I was starving I wouldn't 
sell a bluebell." 

"And why not, little man?" 

The lad looked at Mr. Morrill so piteously that he was 
almost sorry he had asked him. He put his hand on the 
boy's head and said: 

"Excuse me for asking; you need not tell me unless you 
wish, and you can keep the quarter besides." 

The boy looked up a moment and said: 

"I like you and I'll tell you. Just a year ago this month, 
and it has been such a long year I thought the bluebells 
never would come," and then he stopped and put his hands 
over his eyes as if to shut out some horrid sight. Presently 
he took down his hand and said abruptly: 

"My father was a drunkard. We once owned some fine 
property, I've heard mother say, but that was before I was 
born. We got so poor mother had to go out and wash to 
get food for Bess and me. We lived in a little log-house, 
a quarter of a mile from town. 

"One Friday morning there was only a plate of corn- 
meal and about two spoonfuls of molasses. Mother baked 
the meal into bread, and told me to feed the baby when 
she awoke, and to keep a sharp lookout for father, while 
she was away washing that day. She kissed baby Bess as 
she lay asleep and then kissed me at the door. 'Be a good 
boy, Willie, and take care of little sister/ she said. 



2IO Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

"Bessie slept a long time, and I passed the time in sit- 
ting by her and going to the door to watch for father. When 
she woke up she said, 'Baby is so hungry, Willie, get some- 
thing to eat.' 'Get up, Bessie, and let me dress you and 
then we will have some breakfast.' I had not eaten a mouth- 
ful, nor had mother before leaving home, and I was dread- 
fully hungry. Sue got up, and I dressed, washed and 
combed her, and when we sat down to the table Bessie just 
dropped her curly head right down on the table and sobbed 
out, 'Oh, Willie, I am so tired of corn bread and molasses; 
I can't eat it; I want some meat and butter.' 

" 'Don't cry, baby,' I said, stroking her curls, 'mother 
will bring home something to-night.' 

" 'But it is so long to wait.' 

"'Try to eat,' I said, and I put a spoonful of molasses 
on her plate, and she did try, but she only swallowed a 
few mouthfuls and then she left the table. I ate a small 
piece of dry bread; I thought she would eat the molasses, 
so I did not touch it. All day she kept saying she was 
hungry, but refused to eat. It was a long day to us both. 

"Father had come home, and it was nearly dark; we were 
sitting on the doorstep. Bessie laid her head against my 
arm and began to cry, 'I'm so hungry, Willie, mother stays 
so late to-night.' 

" 'Don't cry, baby, mother will soon be home.' 'Of course 
she will!' exclaimed George Anderson; he lived a mile be- 
yond us, and as he spoke he tossed a bunch of bluebells 
into Bessie's lap. 

"'Oh, how pretty!' she exclaimed, while the tears dropped 
from her sweet, blue eyes on the pretty bluebells. 

" 'Come, Bessie,' I said, 'let me fasten them among your 
curls.' She stood up on the doorstep with her face towards 
the house. I stood behind her and tied the bluebells in 
her golden curls. I had just fastened the last one, when 
some one jerked me off the step. It was father; he was almost 
crazy with drink. 

"He caught Bessie and said, 'You have been crying; 
what did Willie do to you?' 

" 'She was so white and scared that I thought she would 
faint. 'Willie didn't do anything,' she gasped out. 

"Father let her go and grasped me; he commenced to 
shake me awful. 'You rascal, what did you do to Bessie? 
Tell me, or I will shake the breath out of you.' 

"'He shook me so I could not answer. Then little Bes- 
sie caught him by the arm. 'Please, father, don't hurt Wil- 
lie; I was so hungry it made me cry.' 

"He looked in at the table and saw the bread and mo- 
lasses. 'You little white-faced liar, you are not hungry; 
look at that table; there is plenty to eat, and good enough 
for such a brat as you,' and he shook her roughly. 



'Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 211 

"She began to cry and I tried to put my arms around 
her, but father pushed me away. 'If you can't eat anything 
I can give you something to drink,' and he caught her up 
in his arms and started down the path that led to the pond. 

"Bessie hushed crying, but she looked awful scared. 'I'll 
give you something to drink,' he said, when he reached the 
edge of the water, and I followed, scarcely knowing what 
I was doing, I was so frightened. 

"He waded in about knee deep, then took Bessie, and 
put her little curly head down under the water. She threw 
up her little, white hands and cried out, 'Oh, Willie take 
baby!' just as the curly head went down. 

"I waded around father and tried with all my strength 
to raise her head out of the water, but father held it down. 
I begged father to take her out, but he would not listen. 
She threw up her hands wildly, there was a gurgling sound, 
and then all was still. It seemed hours to me, but father at 
last lifted up Bessie's white, dripping face. I called her 
name wildly, but her blue lips didn't move; she was dead. 

"Father carried her and laid her down on the green 
grass. 'I guess she won't be hungry for awhile,' he said. 

"I was so stunned I never moved nor spoke until I saw 
the bluebells that I had twined in Bessie's hair floating out 
on the water. I could not bear to see them drift away, so 
I waded out after them. The water was deep and on I 
went. It was up to my arm-pits, now over my shoulders, 
still the bluebells were just beyond my reach, but I must 
have them. The water touched my chin, another step and 
I caught them, and just as I did I heard mother call: 'Wil- 
lie, oh, Willie! where are you?' 

"I looked for father. He was seated on the ground by 
Bessie. 'Willie! oh, Willie,' came mother's voice again. 

"I was out of the water now, but so weak I could scarce- 
ly stand. 'Bessie! oh, Bessie!' I called. 'Here, mother, at 
the pond.' 

"Father gave one mad leap into the water — he plunged 
in face down. I was so terrified I did not know what to do. 
I heard mother coming. I trembled so I could not walk, 
so I crawled up to_ Bessie, and taking father's old straw 
hat put it over Bessie's dead face to keep mother from see- 
ing it. 

"In a moment she came in sight. She saw I was drip- 
ping with water. 'Willie, Willie, what is the matter?' I 
could not speak. 

"She lifted the hat from Bessie's face. She stood for a 
moment as if turned to stone. 'Tell me how it happened, 
Willie, tell me quick!' Then I found voice and told her 
everything. She heard me thru without a word, but when 
I had finished she stood with clasped hands over Bessie 



212 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

and shrieked such unearthly cries that soon the neighbor- 
hood flocked to the spot. 

"Father had drowned himself. His body was taken from 
under the beautiful water and buried in the cemetery along 
side of Bessie. Mother was a raving maniac. I put the 
bluebells in a little box and hung them around my neck. 
After the funeral I lay in the hospital, sick for weeks with 
brain fever, but when I came to myself the box was still 
around my neck; here it is" and he drew from his bosom 
a small box containing a few withered leaves. 

"They speak of sweet baby Bessie," he said, as he closed 
the box and slipped it back under his shirt bosom. 

Then he looked Mr. Morrill straight in the eyes, and 
said: 

"Please, mister, don't ever vote for whiskey. It killed 
my father and dear little baby Bessie, and it locked mother 
up in a madhouse. Please don't vote for rum." 



■X- 



BEN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. 

Chapter I. 

It was a Christmas eve night when the December wind sang 
the slumbering world to sleep. With the shadows of twilight, 
came the falling snow and spread a white cover-lid over the 
cold bosom of the earth. Wherever American civilization extend- 
ed its beautiful footsteps, happy childhood went to bed talking 
of "Santa Claus," and expecting to find their stockings well filled 
at the dawning of Christmas morning. Every Christmas is in- 
deed a happy epoch in a child's life, but no less happy should it 
be in the life of every grown-up person ; for the best news that 
this old sin-burdened world has ever heard was when heaven sent 
the angel of peace and good will. 

It was Christmas morning. Most every home in the village 
was the happy scene of fruits, candies, nuts and toys. 

But there was one little cottage near the border of the town 
where "Santa Claus" did not call. The sting of the bitter cold 
was sharply felt among the warm homes of the village where a 
bright fireside flashed its warmth in every home ; but at the 
little green cottage in the valley at the edge of town, it was a 
great deal worse. The cold wind swept from the snow-covered 
hillside across the meadow and played around the corners of a 
cheerless cottage home. 

But when Ben Samuels jumped out of bed to build the fire for 
his mother it was not the cold which worried him most; it was 
because he knew that his mother was sick and that "Santa Claus" 
had not brought her any fruits and dainties which sick folk so 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 213 

often crave Ben's good mother took in sewing when she was 
well but she had not been able to work for a whole week. 

Ben went to school during school hours and shined shoes after 
he came home and did the work about the house. Ben had set 
his aim high for Christmas, but the contmuedramy weather was 
greatly against him during Christmas week Ben often said that 
^if every day was a rainy one, that bootblacks would go hungry. 
"Well " said Ben to himself, as he danced about to keep his teet 
from freezing while the fire burned, "I don't see any way to get 
my sick mother some Christmas fruit but to go up town and 
shine some shoes." The fire then burned brightly and Ben sat 
at the kitchen window and looked out upon the drifts of snow. 
"O. I've just thought of it," said Ben, "I'll try my luck m shov- 
eling away the snow from the walks of some homes in town and 
maybe I can earn a few dimes." 

Ben completed breakfast and took his mother some warm soup 
and coffee After carrying in a load of wood and a pail of water, 
he kissed his sick mother and said that he would return at noon 
with somxething nice for Christmas. "Not going out in this cold 
weather, Ben?" asked his mother. 

"Yes, mother, I'm going to shovel snow in town." 

"But, Ben, you'll almost freeze." ^ 

"Oh no ! mother, Fm like a 'snow dog,' and it s a^ fine morning 
for sweeping sidewalks and crossings, you know. I'll just shoul- 
der my shovel and see if I can't bring back something to make it 
look like Christmas in the valley." 

'You're a good boy," said the widow with a deep sigh. Ben 

smiled. , „ j j -d 

"Ought to be. Got a good mother, you know, responded Ben. 
And then putting on his old hat, he darted into the shed for his 
snow shovel, and was off, plunging thru the drifts as if it were 

first rate fun. , ,, , u 

He had no overcoat, and his hands were hardly covered by 
the old mittens, but he put first one hand, then the other in his 
pocket, to warm them, and trudged along with a cheery whistle, 
never minding the cold. . , 

When he got to town he stopped just before Prof. Lasting s 
big house. The professor was just opening the shutters, and 
Ben hailed him : "Good morning, professor ; don't you want your 
walk cleared off?" 

"Well, I might," said the professor. "Do you suppose you can 
give me a good job?" „ 

"Don't suppose anything about it," said Ben, I know ^I can. 

"What will you charge me to clean off the whole front?" asked 

the professor. , . 1 r • u t- 

"That's for you to say after vou see what kind of a job i ve 
done," responded Ben. "I like the spirit you reveal," said the 
professor. "Go to work." . , ,^ , , ■• xt 

Ben worked and tugged, and in half an hour had the entire 



214 Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

job completed. Then he rapped at the door and was met by the 
professor. 

"I have it clean," said the boy. 

"It's a good job, Ben," said the professor, '"here's a quarter 
for your job and another quarter for your manliness." 

"I thank you very kindly," responded Ben and he was soon 
soliciting another job. 

"That's a good start," thought Ben, apd he almost ran for 
joy. 

Ben pulled several door bells in vain, but now and then got a 
job. Several times he was hailed by boys passing on their way 
to the pond to skate, and asked to go with them, but he only 
answered "no" and thought of his sick mother at home. When 
noon came he had two dollars. 

"Pretty well for one-half day," said he. "Guess we will have 
some Christmas down in the valley anyway." 

He ran around the corner to the grocery and bought a small 
basket of fruit, a dozen small cakes, one-half pound of butter 
and a glass of strawberry jelly. "Guess butter, jelly and hot bis- 
cuit will go pretty well," said Ben as he took the road for the 
little green cottage. Ben rushed into the house and found his 
good mother sitting up by the fire he had made, and I tell you, 
when he poured out the Christmas gift in his mother's lap, her 
bright face and benediction well repaid him for the cold morn- 
ing's work. Ben again prepared dinner with his own hands and 
the mother and her noble boy rightly celebrated that cold Decem- 
ber day in memory of their risen Christ. 



Chapter II. 

Encouraged with his mornings work Ben resolved to try it 
again in the afternoon and soon was making the snow-drifts fly. 

"I must hurry up," said Ben to himself, "and make some one 
else happy on this fine Christmas day. Mary Sunbeam is lying 
sick at the hospital," said Ben tO himself as he shoveled snow, 
"and I must take the litle girl some fruit and candy." 

Mary Sunbeam was not her real name, but because of her 
happy and sunny disposition, she was called Mary Sunbeam by 
all who knew her. 

"Next to my dear mother," said Ben, "I love that little girl 
better than anyone in the world." 

The afternoon had brought Ben as much success as had the 
morning and at four o'clock Ben started to the dreary hospital 
with a basket of fruit and candy to cheer the little girl whom he 
called his sweetheart ! It was a grand surprise to Mary when 
Ben entered her room with a smile on his face and the pretty 
basket swinging on his arm. 

"O, Ben, I'm so glad to see you and are they all for me?" 
exclaimed the girl. 



Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 215 

*'Yes, all for you, little girl, and ladened with my love," re- 
sponded Ben. 

The sick girl blushed and smiled as she ran her pretty finger- 
tips over yellow oranges and thanked Ben for his beautiful 
Christmas gift. 

Ben considered her smile of approval well worth even days of 
hard work shoveling snow and was indeed happy because he had 
made some one else happy. 

Ben left Mary encouraged and benefited by his visit and after 
expressing his hope that she would soon be able to start to school 
again, he went to the grocery where he bought some more dain- 
ties and soon greeted his glad mother in their cottage home. 



[The End.] 



The Author's Other Books. 

Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Containing 200 pages and 240 of the sweetest poems ever 
written. Within its covers, poems may be had to suit all 
occasions; and not a dull one in the entire book. 

An ideal volume of verse for elocution teachers, pupils 
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heaven meet in these poems; and all the sweetness of love, 
the glory of hope and the beauty of life are woven in 
threads of gold, amid the dreams which this book contains. 

Price in rich, blue cloth binding, $1.50. 



Nutshells of Truth. 

Being a book of short sayings and toasts of wisdom, 
common sense and beauty. Unique, striking and charming. 
It's a forceful "Shotgun" that hits on every side and makes 
no apology for whom it strikes. About one hundred pages 
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You just ought to own a copy. 

Price in cloth binding, $1.00. 
217 



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This story begins at the marriage altar and continues thru the 
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You will be interested in their only son's romance with a 
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Price in cloth binding, 50 cents. 



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Being a love story of a young man who left home and lost 
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No one can read this great romance without being the better 
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Price in cloth binding, 50 cents. 
218 



8. Love's Rainbow Dfeam 

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"land of her dream." 

Price in cloth binding, 50 cents. 



4. She Dared to Win 

A love story relating the wooing of a poet and a girl artist. 

You will read with uncommon interest how Gladys set "love's 
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only once. 

A sweet story of "love at first sight," where his poetry melts 
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Read how this beautiful gray-eyed girl of twenty summers 
dared to win. 

Price in cloth binding, 50 cents. 



g. The Valley of Love 

Being a story of two cousins in love with an author — 
describing his trip in the Kentucky mountains, where he wrote 
his new book and dreamed and wooed in Love's valley. You 
will be charmed to read how each cousin plans to win the same 
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Price in cloth binding, 50 cents. 

219 



Any of the above described books sent prepaid upon 
receipt of retail price; or the whole five-dollar series of 
seven books, as above described, sent prepaid for $4.50. If 
you desire added to the above series of seven books a copy 
of "Silver Gems in Seas of Gold/' the whole seven-dollar- 
and-fifty-cent series of eight books will be sent for $6.00. 

The above described books make an ideal series for 
every home, and no library is complete without them. 



Order all books from 

THE WORLD SUPPLY CO., 

Louisville, Ky. 



^^^f^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i^t^* 



Agents Wanted Everywhere. 

WRITE FOR TERMS. 



aeo 



Love Poems 

AND 

The Boyhood of Ken- 
tucky's Poet 

The above headlines comprise the title of a new 
book on the life of William Lee Popham. 

The biographical sketch is full of beautiful "mind 
pictures" — showing the poet's first wooing and his 
solitary strolls by the brook which babbled its wind- 
ing way a-down the meadow near his cottage home. 
The poet lived close to Nature's heart; and to read 
his biography and the poetry which illumes the 
pages of the new book, is to hear the bird sing, the 
brook ripple over queer-shaped rocks, the wind 
whisper soft words from the crimson lips of the 
clouds, the sweetheart's plea — and to see the flowers 
nod their pretty heads to passing lovers, the lazy 
cows graze in the spreading shade of cool maples, 
the vines hug the bosom of the graceful oak — and 
the open gates of Heaven in the clouds above the 
"moss-covered rock" in the dell of Solitude — upon 
which the poet often sat in his reveries of Love. 

The biographical sketch is in prose; but with 
many love poems there among — one of which being 
the first poem Kentucky's poet wrote at the age of 
eleven. The book describes the sloping hills and 
shady valley near the cottage of the poet's birth — 
where the young author wrote love poems to his 
little sweetheart, who wore a calico dress and a 
gingham sunbonnet. 

There was a certain hollow stump in the meadow 
which the "child lovers" used as a post office; and 
many were the days when a bunch of sweet violets 
or a red rose — together with a love poem — were 
"mailed" in the "hollow stump" by the "poet lover," 



221 



then under the age of twelve. His first poem in 
childhood bespoke love for his sweetheart ; and one 
of the latest and sweetest poems of his manhood 
is entitled "My First Sweetheart." 

Both these poems of his sweetheart — one written 
in early boyhood and the other written in mature 
manhood — together with many other love poems, 
appear in the book which tells the life story of 
Kentucky's poet. 

No portion of the contents of this book appears 
elsewhere and nowhere else appears his life story. 

The book also contains the following beautiful 
poems, whose fame is immortal: "With the Daisies," 
"Just a Woman," and "Because the Violin Had a 
Bow." 

The book is simple, sweet and charming, and to 
own a copy is to cherish it as a "gem of life." 

It makes an ideal present for anyone. 

Agents wanted everywhere to sell this book. 

Order a copy, then get the agency for your com- 
munity. Remember the name of the book : 

LOVE POEMS 

AND 

THE BOYHOOD OF KENTUCKY'S 

POET. 

Price in paper binding, 50 cents. Price in beautiful 
cloth, $1.00. 

Title in Gold. 

Order all copies from 

THE WORLD SUPPLY CO., 

Louisville, Ky. 



222 



)EC 27 1910 



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A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 



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^^ 27 mc 



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